Rural development officers set to intensify agitation

JAIPUR: The agitating Rajasthan Rural Development Service (RDS) officers have decided to intensify their agitation after the government failed to meet their demands. The RAS association also upped the ante, warning the government against any sharing of their posts with the subordinate service.
BDS officers have been on strike since September 12, demanding proper promotion channels and strengthening of their cadre.This is the first time that a gazette officers’ cadre is going on strike in Rajasthan.
The executive committee of the RDS has on Monday had given a call to the other officers working at the Block level (AEN and JEN) to support the strike. It would be followed by a vehicle rally at the district headquarters on September 26.
Besides, a public rally by RDS officers and their family members has been planned in Jaipur on Panchayati raj foundation day on October 2.
“If the agitation stretches beyond Oct 2 they have warned of an indefinite fast unto death by the core committee members from Oct 3,” said BR Jat, president of RDS officers’ association.
Meanwhile, in clash of interest between two state service cadres, the premiere state cadre, Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS), have warned the government against sharing any post belonging to their cadre with the RDS cadre.
A special cadre RDS was specially formed to be deployed to serve in the rural areas under rural development and Panchayati raj department 2007. However, these officers have faced stagnation in service as there is no promotional avenue for them in the present system to go to the higher up as the RAS officers occupy posts like additional CEO Zilla Parishad, CEO Zilla Parishad etc.