Contractual Employees to Be Referred as Initial Appointees in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: In a significant decision, the Odisha Government announced that the contractual employees will now be referred to as initial employees.

The State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today approved a proposal in this regard.

It has been informed by Law Minister Pratap Jena after the Cabinet meeting.
The remuneration of all contractual employees working under the State Government will increased by 50% from first year. The appointments would be made permanent after six years, the Minister said.

Under this new provision, the State Government will bear an additional expenditure of Rs 250 crore every year for this purpose. The initial appointees will also avail medical expenses like regular employees, he added.

The Cabinet has also approved rural piped water supply projects worth Rs 657.57 crore in Boudh and Kandhamal districts to supply safe drinking water to 2.79 lakh people in 975 villages. The expected completion period of the project is 24 months.

It has also approved rural piped water supply projects worth Rs 298.69 crore in Rayagada and Kashipur blocks to supply safe drinking water for 1.57 lakh people in 474 villages. The expected project completion period is 24 months.

Notably, the State Cabinet has approved 16 major proposals pertaining to Finance, Food Supplies, GA, Home, Excise and other departments.