Odishatv Bureau

Bhubaneswar: The State government today approved a proposal of the Higher Education department regarding full grant-in-aid in favour of teaching and non-teaching employees of aided colleges. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat in Bhubaneswar.

Around 15,738 employees of 1,499 non-government aided colleges receiving block grant are expected to receive the benefits of grant-in-aid with effect from January 1, 2018.

Besides, the Cabinet okayed a proposal from Housing and Urban Development department on supply of water to urban poor through stand posts at free of cost.

The Cabinet also waived off arrear water charges of Rs 40.05 crore pending against urban local bodies (ULBs) as on June 2017 and relaxed current arrear demand of Rs 5.10 crore per annum under provisions of the Odisha Water Works (Urban Local Bodies) Rules-1980.

A tender for construction of additional spillway on Left Gandhi Hillock at Hirakud Dam was also approved at the Cabinet meeting.

A proposal from Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water department on execution of four rural piped water supply projects in Kendrapara, Jharsuguda and Angul districts was also cleared by the Cabinet.

Total 12 proposals were discussed and approved at the Cabinet meeting today, informed sources.

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