NIRDPR staff protest Union government’s disengagement decision

Employees of the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) staged a protest at Dharna Chowk here on Sunday opposing the Union government’s reported decision to disengage from the institute’s functioning. Nearly 300 people have participated in the protest.

Expressing concern over the non-allocation of funds for the Institute in the Union Budget 2025-26 and the possible disengagement of the Ministry of Rural Development, government of India, from its functioning, they emphasised that the disengagement process would harm the institute’s operations, workforce, and mission, ultimately undermining its ability to contribute to rural development.

Speaking on the occasion, Academic Association functionaries Prof. Jyothis Sathyapalan, Dr. C. Dheeraja, Dr. Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Dr. C. Kathiresan, Dr. Palla Anuradha and Dr. M.V. Ravibabu highlighted the contributions of NIRDPR in the development of India and demanded restoration of grant-in-aid to the NIRDPR. Employees Association members D. Rama Krishna, A. Parasuramudu, Susheel Kumar, Mahmood Ali, D. Saroja and representing pensioners, Mr. Jangaiah and Mr. Murali participated in the protest.

It may be noted that the NIRDPR, a premier institution under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), government of India, faces an uncertain future after the Union Budget 2025-26 slashed its budget to ₹1 lakh for the financial year 2025-26 from ₹73.68 crore in revised estimates of the 2024-25 fiscal and ₹75.69 crore in 2023-24. This decision coupled with the government of India’s move to disengage MoRD from NIRDPR, has raised serious concerns among employees, pensioners, and stakeholders involved in rural development.

The abrupt withdrawal of funding to NIRDPR has put its operations, workforce, and mission in jeopardy. The decision has shocked and disheartened approximately 221 regular and 410 contractual employees and their families, who now face an uncertain future. This apart, more than 300 families of pensioners are also worried about their future. What makes this situation more distressing is that the stoppage of grant-in-aid and disengagement decision was made without consulting the employees of the NIRDPR under the pressure from the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

With the government’s decision casting a shadow over the institute’s future, employees are worried about their livelihoods. They demand that the government ensure job security for existing employees and continue providing them with central government pay scales.

“We are also seeking to maintain the existing promotion policy, MACP, CAS, and financial upgradation, which they believe are essential for their career growth and development,” said a senior official, who participated in the protest.

Further, they are calling for a transfer policy that would prevent relentless transfers, which can be disruptive to their work and personal lives. The welfare of retired employees is another key concern for the protesters. They are demanding that the government safeguard the medical facilities and other benefits that retired employees are entitled to. Additionally, they are seeking the immediate filling of vacant senior positions, including Deputy Director General, Registrar, and Financial Advisor. The government’s decision has left 221 regular and 410 contractual employees, as well as over 300 pensioners, facing an uncertain future.

Several political leaders, social activists, trade union leaders and others have also expressed their solidarity with the protesting employees comprising regular, contractual, pensioners, and outsourcing staff.