Revenue Inspectors’ Strike Affects Public Services Across Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The cease-work agitation launched by Revenue Inspectors (RIs), Revenue Supervisors (RS) and Assistant Revenue Inspectors (ARIs) in Odisha has crippled public services across the state.

They have been peacefully sitting on a protest in front of all 317 Tehsil offices of the state since February 19 demanding restructuring of Odisha District Revenue Service (ODRS), pay hike and other perks.

The protesting revenue officials have been wearing black badges since January 25 in protest against the government’s delay in fulfilling their demands. A protesting staff in Koraput said, “We were assured by the government of a meeting on February 15 but as it did not happen, we started cease-work protest from February 19.”

“We have six demands which include hike in the salary of RI and RS, renaming Revenue Supervisors as Additional Tehsildars, and filling Class IV employee posts lying vacant in the RI offices across Odisha. We will continue to protest till our demands are accepted,” said a protestor at Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district.

The protestors allege that restructuring in ODRS cadre has not been done since 1986.

Odisha State Revenue Field Officers Association Joint Secretary Arun Sahu had earlier told media that they would be on an indefinite strike until their demands were fulfilled.