Bhubaneswar, June 1 -- At least 50,000 bureaucrats (Amala) launched a seize-work strike across Odisha and went on mass leave demanding raise in grade pay and other perks from the government.

The strike by the bureaucrats, who have been entrusted with the execution of almost all the government works, resulted in the closing of many government offices in the State paralysing the state machinery.

Addressing a press conference, General Secretary of the Amala Front in Bhubaneswar said, "The bureaucrats working at district levels from 2017 have educational qualification of Graduation and have mandatory computer proficiency certificates. They have a grade pay of Rs 4200 (Level 9). But we on the other hand are getting Rs 1900 as a grade pay whi...