Bhubaneswar, July 3: Odisha’s administrative machinery remains crippled for the third consecutive day as Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) and Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) officers persist with their mass leave protest following the assault on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo.

Despite the arrest of five accused, including BJP corporator Aparaup Narayan Rout, the OAS Association continues its agitation, demanding the arrest of BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, in connection with the case.

The strike has severely impacted public services across the state. Tehsil offices, block offices, and district collectorates from Koraput to Kendrapara and Cuttack to Keonjhar are either shut or functioning without key officials.

Citizens seeking caste certificates, land records, and pension approvals are returning disappointed, with chairs of officers lying vacant despite offices being open.

In Cuttack, Manoj Kumar Sahu, a student, has been visiting the Additional District Magistrate’s office for three days to get his caste certificate signed—a prerequisite for his upcoming exam form submission. With the deadline looming, he remains uncertain and anxious.

While the government has appealed to officers to resume duty, especially in flood-affected districts and during the Rath Yatra, the OAS Association has issued a deadline of three days for the government to complete its investigation and take action. The association insists that the protest is not politically motivated, though some citizens and political leaders allege otherwise.

Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari stated that no direct evidence has yet emerged against Jagannath Pradhan and emphasized that arrests must follow due process. Meanwhile, the protest continues to spark debate over governance, accountability, and the politicization of administrative services.

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