PATNA, March 15 -- The joint forum of Bihar revenue services officers, under the banner of BiRSA (U) - the united front of BiRSA and BiRSA United - has called a major gathering of striking officials, circle officers (COs) and revenue officers (ROs) in Patna this Sunday to take stock of the escalating standoff with the state government. The move comes amid an indefinite strike by COs, ROs and other revenue staff that began on March 9, severely disrupting work at circle offices across the state's 537 circles. The government, meanwhile, has responded by assigning the charge of COs to block development officers (BDOs) in most circles - with reports indicating over 450 BDOs have taken up the responsibility. However, ground-level work on land record modifications, mutations, measurements and even basic RTPS services like issuance of caste, residence and EWS certificates largely remained stuck up. Department sources say only a limited number of BDOs (over 100) have activated logins for essential RTPS tasks so far, with hopes that normalcy might return next week. The protest centres on long-standing demands, including restoration and protection of promotional avenues to the deputy collector land reforms (DCLR) post, safeguards for the service structure, and resolution of issues related to administrative powers, financial autonomy and staffing - particularly ensuring Bihar revenue service officers' rightful place in key roles like DCLR, while opposing moves that they say undermine their cadre. In a poster circulated by the forum, leaders announced the Sunday meeting as a "maha dharna/maha aandolan" programme to press these points. The poster recalls that the forum had earlier suspended its agitation in good faith after a "pen-down" protest on March 2, but resumed action from March 9 due to continued inaction. It accuses the administration of unnecessary pressure, delays in clarifications and inquiries that are demoralising field officers. The Sunday meeting in Patna aims to rally support, review the impact of the strike and decide the next course of the agitation, which has already paralysed routine revenue functions at a time when land-related processes remain critical for citizens. Forum leaders insist their demands are aimed at protecting the integrity of the revenue administration rather than targeting individuals, and they have urged all members to participate in large numbers....