Odisha Cabinet approves grant-in-aid for eligible teaching, non-teaching staff

Bhubaneswar, Dec 31: The Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday accorded approval to 9 proposals including grant-in-aid under 7th Pay Commission to eligible teaching and non-teaching staff.  Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said that Cabinet decided to extend state government grant-in aid to eligible employees of newly aided high schools, upper primary schools, Sanskrit Tols, Madrasas, and, non-government colleges including erstwhile junior colleges. The eligible employees in these institutions would get the actual revised grant from the day of New Year, 2022 as per Odisha revised scale of pay rules 2017. The State Government would bear the additional financial burden of around Rs.292 crore per year towards this enhanced grant-in-aid. The Cabinet approved proposal to provide grant-in-aid under 7th Pay Commission to eligible teaching and non-teaching staff of new aided non-govt High Schools, UP Schools, and Madrasas, informed the Chief Secretary. Over 26,000 employees will be benefited following the decision, said Mohapatra. The Cabinet also approved a proposal of the Higher Education department to provide grant-in-aid under the7th Pay Commission for the eligible employees of aided non-government colleges. About 15,664 teaching and non-teaching staff will be benefited. The cabinet also resolved the amendment for Odisha Government college laboratory assistant-cum-store keeper, librarian and PET recruitment and conditions of services rules. The Cabinet also approved for amendment of Odisha Municipal Corporation Act for assigning land rights to the existing property rights for development and up-gradation of slums under Jaga Mission in five municipal corporation areas in the state. Under the Jaga Mission, the state government will provide land to slum dwellers in the five municipal corporations. As many as 1.9 lakh families in 938 slums will be benefitted, informed Housing and Urban Development Minister Pratap Jena. The Cabinet also approved a proposal for amendment to Odisha Gram Panchayat Act, Panchayat Samiti Act, and Zilla Parishad Act. Disaster management was included in the activities list of Panchyati Raj institutions. A provision was included for penal action against candidates filing false affidavits during panchayat elections. It was further resolved to set up rural works sub-divisions in 314 blocks for expeditious implementation of the massive road, building, bridge and associated construction works. Similarly, it was resolved to set up one rural works circle in Rayagada; and, three rural works divisions in Udala, Banei and Banspal.