In a rare and assertive show of dissent, officers from the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) and Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) have proceeded on indefinite mass leave across eight districts.
This follows the recent assault on Ratnakar Sahoo, an Additional Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), triggering outrage within administrative circles.
According to sources, the attack on the BMC officer involved being dragged out of his office and manhandled in broad daylight. Three individuals, including a local BJP corporator, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Districts affected by this collective protest include Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Rayagada, Deogarh, Subarnapur, Balasore, and Ganjam. Officers have clarified that they will remain on leave until “exemplary action” is taken and their safety is guaranteed.
Speaking on the matter, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi assured swift and unbiased action, stating, “No matter how influential the offender may be, the law will prevail, and necessary actions will be taken.”
The temporary paralysis of administrative functions in these districts has raised significant concerns among citizens and governance bodies alike. The officers’ demand for dignity and safety highlights the growing tension between field-level bureaucracy and political forces in the state.
