The Tamil Nadu Revenue Employees Association has launched an indefinite boycott of Special Intense Revision (SIR) work, escalating their long-standing demand for pay parity with other government departments. The protest action began on Tuesday and affects revenue operations across the state.
What Sparked the Protest?
At the heart of the dispute lies what employees describe as discriminatory treatment in special duty allowance. While staff in other departments receive Rs 3,000 per month for special intense work, revenue employees performing identical SIR duties receive only Rs 1,500 monthly.
The association's state president, S Muthu Subramanian, expressed frustration over the government's failure to address this disparity despite repeated representations. Approximately 15,000 revenue employees across Tamil Nadu are affected by this pay inequality, creating widespread discontent within the department.
Failed Negotiations and Escalating Action
Revenue department officials had attempted to resolve the issue through discussions with association representatives. However, these talks failed to produce any concrete commitment to equalize the special duty allowance.
Muthu Subramanian confirmed that the association had exhausted all diplomatic channels before resorting to the work boycott. "We have been patient in our approach, giving ample time for the administration to respond to our legitimate demands," he stated.
The boycott specifically targets SIR work, which involves intensive revision and updating of land records and revenue documents. This specialized work requires additional hours and effort from staff, making the allowance disparity particularly galling for employees.
Potential Impact on Revenue Operations
The indefinite boycott is expected to significantly disrupt revenue department operations across Tamil Nadu. SIR work forms a crucial component of land record maintenance and revenue administration, affecting everything from property transactions to agricultural records.
With 15,000 employees participating in the protest, the work stoppage could create substantial backlogs in revenue documentation and public service delivery. The association has indicated they will continue the boycott until their demands for equal pay for equal work are met.
This protest action represents the latest in a series of labor disputes within Tamil Nadu's government sector, highlighting ongoing tensions around compensation and working conditions. The revenue employees' firm stance suggests they are prepared for a prolonged struggle to achieve pay parity.
The state government has yet to issue an official response to the work boycott, leaving uncertainty about how quickly the impasse might be resolved. As the protest continues, public access to revenue services could face increasing delays and disruptions.
