Bihar officer protests 8-month salary delay by holding begging bowl outside office

Buxar rural development officer Alpita Singh protested with a begging bowl over eight months' unpaid salary. Viral photographs prompted the district administration to question the Brahmpur BDO and initiate action.

In Short

• Singh says she received regular pay for only three months
• She continued discharging official duties despite facing serious financial distress
• Photographs circulated online, prompting the district administration to intervene swiftly

A rural development officer in Bihar's Buxar district staged a protest outside her office with a begging bowl, claiming that she had not received her salary for eight months. The protest by Alpita Singh, who is posted at the Brahmpur block office, drew attention after photographs of her sitting with a bowl went viral on social media, prompting the district administration to seek an explanation from the Block Development Officer (BDO).

Singh claimed that she had received a regular salary for only three months during her 11-month tenure. Despite continuing to discharge her official responsibilities, she said that her salary had remained unpaid for the past eight months, leaving her in serious financial distress.

TWO DAYS OF PROTEST WITH BEGGING BOWL

In protest against the pending salary, Singh sat outside the Brahmpur block office for two consecutive days, carrying a begging bowl to draw attention to her situation. She used the symbolic gesture to highlight the financial difficulties she claimed to have faced because of the non-payment of her dues.

According to information received from sources, a dispute between the Brahmpur Block Development Officer and the Rural Development Officer is believed to be behind the matter.

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SEEKS EXPLANATION FROM BDO

After photographs of Singh's protest went viral on social media, the Buxar district administration sought an explanation from the Brahmpur BDO. The administration asked the officer to clarify on what grounds the salary of the concerned employee had been withheld.

In its clarification, the district administration stated that the salary of any employee cannot be withheld without following the prescribed rules and obtaining permission from the competent authority.

It also said that necessary administrative action was being taken in connection with the matter.

The administration further directed all concerned officials and employees to ensure compliance with government rules and established procedures. It stressed that matters concerning the public and government employees must be addressed promptly and with accountability.

- Ends
(With inputs from Pushpendra Pandey)