Odisha revenue employees’ association calls off protest, staff to resume duty today

The Odisha revenue employees’ association called of its agitation after 15 days, following assurances from the state government on Tuesday.

The association’s president announced the decision to call off the protest, citing the state’s flood situation and the upcoming festival season as additional reasons for the move. Revenue employees, who had been on mass leave since August 11 to press for their demands, will rejoin duty from today.

Earlier, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department had directed all district collectors to initiate disciplinary action against revenue staff who had remained absent despite repeated reminders. The department had also asked for a list of employees who went on leave during the agitation.

Officials pointed out that although earlier leave requests were cancelled, many employees still failed to resume work, causing disruption in government functioning at various levels.

The government had made it clear that while it took note of the association’s demands, any violation of service rules by employees during the agitation would invite strict action.

Notably, the association had staged the dharna pressing for a 10-point charter of demands, including revision of basic pay, provision of health insurance, and other service-related benefits.