Jharkhand Forest Dept employees Protest Against Unfavorable Amendments with Week-Long Black Badge Movement

Forest Service personnel in Jharkhand stage week-long protest over obstructive promotion practices and other detrimental changes to recruitment rules.

JAMSHEDPUR – The Jharkhand Rajya Avar Van Seva Sangh has gone on a state-wide protest by wearing black badges today, May 30th, 2023, in opposition to the department’s alleged disregard for their concerns and demands.

This includes the East Singhbhum District unit of the Sangh, who will perform their work also sporting the protest symbols.

Over the last three years, the Sangh has raised objections about the lack of promotional opportunities and harmful amendments to the Jharkhand State Forest Field Worker Cadre Rules of 2014, specifically changes that took effect from 2020.

These adjustments allow for the direct appointment to half of the forester positions, which the Sangh argues should be promotion-based roles.

Despite their efforts in delegation talks and correspondences, the Sangh feels unheard by both the department and the government.

In response, they launched a phased, state-wide protest.

Earlier phases included a memorandum submission to the departmental officer and talks with office bearers. Due to the lack of progress, this latest stage has enlisted the participation of all forest guards in the East Singhbhum district who will register their protest by wearing black badges for the coming week.

The Sangh has warned the department to prioritize promoting currently employed forest guards into forester positions, or they will escalate their protests state-wide.

The Sangh also voiced its disappointment over the non-receipt of a 13-month salary on par with traveling allowance, ration money, and police personnel.

The Sangh’s District President of East Singhbhum, Mr. Uttam Bhakt, and District Secretary Mr. Umesh Singh, along with all district forest guards, have shown solidarity with the movement.

They have also expressed support for other ongoing public servant movements, stressing that if harmful amendments to the appointment rules persist, they will orchestrate a consolidated campaign involving all employee organizations.