This was one of the key proposals that got the Odisha Cabinet nod on Friday. As per the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), this will not only save the time of applicants and Government, it will be crucial in reducing the examination related expenditure as well.
This Combined Graduate Level Recruitment Examination will put an end to the existing practice as the candidate has to exercise the post or service for which he or she wishes to be considered in order of his or her preference as mentioned in the application.
“It is therefore proposed to frame the Combined Graduate Level Recruitment Examination for Group-B and Group-C of different State Cadre Posts or Services Rules, 2022 which shall have overriding effect on all the Recruitment Rules or Regulations or Orders or Instructions issued by Administrative Department/Heads of Departments so far as regulating the process of recruitment to the posts and services under the State Government,” an official statement read.
Apart from this, the State government has also restructured the Odisha Secretariat Service (OSS) Cadre. The State Government has enhanced the cadre strength of OSS Cadre at Group-A level by way of creation of 120 Group-A posts in lieu of abolition of 94 posts at base level.
The Odisha government on Friday also effected major amendments to the Odisha Civil Services Examinations conducted by Odisha Public Services Commission.
The Cabinet also approved the tender for the above work for an execution amount of Rs 200 crore (without GST) and 0 & M cost for five years amounting to Rs 1 crore (without GST). The work is planned to be completed in 30 months.
This storage structure is expected to control the flood situation in Kochila river and will rejuvenate the Baitarani river.
Informing about the other important Cabinet decisions, Chief Secretary, Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said that major decisions included approval of the financial bids for construction of 40 lift irrigation schemes with intake points on different rivers in the districts of Keonjhar, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Bargarh, Gajapati, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Angul and Cuttack.
Similarly, the Cabinet also approved the financial bids for execution of pressurised underground pipe line (UGPL) irrigation network system for left command of lower Suktel irrigation project with distribution network.
Approvals were made to sanction the lease of 5 acre government land free of premium for establishment of Central Research Institute in Homeopathy (CIRH), 50 acres of land in favour of Rajendra University for their infra development, and 3.125 acres of land for establishment of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Proposal for 15 per cent reservation of seats in Government Physical Education Colleges for the students staying in government sports hostels along with revised funding for the State Level Sports Infrastructure Development scheme also received Cabinet nod.
Some of the major decisions cleared by the government are as under:-
The posts are as follows: Addl. Tahasildar (Enforcement) for highly sensitive Minor
1. Mineral Tahasils - 32
2. Asst. Settlement Officer/ Asst. Consolidation Officer - 05
3. Sub-Registrar - 30
4. Court Officer, Board of Revenue, Odisha, Cuttack - 11
5. Asst. Director, RITI, Bhubaneswar - 02
6. Leave/ Training Reserve/ Deputation - 118
The State government issued an official release informing about the proposals being approved. According to the release, the approved proposals include release of financial assistance to IDCO for development of Mega Almunium Park in Angul district, creation of land bank for the purposes of industry and infrastructure, sanction of grant-in-aid in favour of 24 private recognized upper primary schools, proposal for enactment of a separate legislation for establishment of a self financed private unitary University in the name of DRIEMS University and proposal for amendment of the Gandhi Institute of Engineering and Technology University, Odisha Act, 2018.
Proposals for amendment of CV Raman Global University Odisha Act, sustainable harnessing of ground water in water deficit areas under Biju Krushak Vikas Yojana- Deep Bore Well Secha Karyakram, construction of 1280 new check dams under MATY, financial bid for construction of GM lift irrigation project (additional ayacut) in Bargarh, construction of in-stream storage structure across river Kuakhai, rehabilitation and renovation of Bargarh main canal, construction of barrage-cum bridge across IB river in Sundargarh district and popularisation of agriculture equipments and pump sets Scheme were also approved.
Similarly, proposals like amendment of Odisha subordinate finance service rules, Electronic and IT department as referral department for e-governance initiatives and IT infrastructure, revision of panel internet from loanees who availed loan for higher education and amendment of Odisha revised scale of pay (college teachers) rules were approved.
Proposals like two mega rural piped water supply for 62 GPs of Udala, Khunta, Badasahi and GB Nagar blocks have been approved, two mega rural piped water supply projects for Raruan and Sukruli blocks of Mayurbhanj district, mega rural piped water supply projects for Kuchinda and Bamara blocks of Sambalpur district and two mega rural piped water supply projects in Deogarh district were also approved.
Moreover, the State Cabinet has also approved the proposal alienation of government land for setting up a Technology Centre in Rourkela.
Giving a go ahead to the farmer welfare scheme, the cabinet approved a sum of Rs 5,933 crore to be spent on the scheme in the next three years. Each farmer family in Odisha under the ambit of ‘Kalia’ will be benefitted in the next three years, said the government.
The cabinet also approved a proposal to spend Rs 255 Crore on development of micro-irrigation projects and increasing income of the farmers.
Earlier, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had on September 21, 2021 released financial assistance of Rs 742.58 crore under the KALIA scheme to farmers on the auspicious occasion of ‘Nuakhai’. The assistance was released to over 37.12 lakh small and marginal farmers across the State for Rabi crop who received an assistance of Rs 2,000 in their bank accounts.
Pertinent to mention here that the State government had identified 1,04,076 ineligible beneficiaries of the KALIA scheme in February 2021.
The State Government had launched the scheme in 2019 to provide financial assistance to farmers for encouraging cultivation and associated activities. The programme covers about 92 per cent of the State's cultivators and almost all landless farmers.
As per reports, the vote-on-account will be presented in the State Assembly by Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari on March 30. The Budget will be approved on May 31 following a discussion.
Later, the regular Budget will be presented in the next session of the State Assembly nearly after three months.
The Odisha government opted for a vote-on-account instead of the regular Budget in view of the model code of conduct imposed due to elections to civic bodies in the State. The vote-on-account would be for the first four months of the financial year 2022-23.
The Budget session of Odisha Assembly began on Friday, with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik attending the proceedings physically for the first time in two years.
The CM was attending different sessions virtually in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The session started with the address of Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal.
The Cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik via video conferencing accorded approval to provide grant-in-aid under 7th Pay Commission to eligible teaching & non-teaching staff of new aided non-government High Schools, upper primary schools, Madrasas, informed the Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra.
Around 26,164 employees of the non-government aided schools and Madrasas will receive the benefits of grant-in-aid with effect from January 1, 2022.
In another big decision, the State Cabinet approved Jaga Mission for slum dwellers in five municipal corporations, including Berhampur, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Rourkela and Sambalpur.
Under the Jaga Mission, the State government will provide land to slum dwellers residing in the five municipal corporations.
“Under the Jaga Mission scheme, the State Government will provide land to slum dwellers under the jurisdiction of five civic bodies. As many as 1.90 lakh families in 938 slums across the five municipal corporation areas will be benefitted under the scheme. The land distribution process will be completed within six months,” informed Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister Pratap Jena.
“Under the Odisha Land Rights to Slum Dwellers Act, 2017 and Jaga Mission, land were provided to people residing in 109 urban local bodies, municipality and NACs across the State which have benefitted around 1.75 lakh families till date,” added Jena.
The State Cabinet also okayed the proposal of the Higher Education Department for the amendment of the recruitment and conditions of service of Laboratory Assistant-cum-Storekeeper, Librarian, and Physical Education Teacher of Government Colleges.
As per the amendment, the Laboratory Assistant-cum-Storekeeper, Librarian, and Physical Education Teacher of Government Colleges will no more be recruited through the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Instead, they will be selected through the Selection Board of the Higher Education Department.
The proposal for the restructuring of the Engineering cadre of the Rural Development Department was also cleared by today.
The State Government has decided to create a new Rural Works Circle in Rayagada and three new RW Divisions in Udala, Bansapal and Bonai. Similarly, eight more Quality Control Divisions are being created to strengthen the monitoring and supervision.
The Cabinet also approved a proposal for the amendment to the Odisha Gram Panchayat Act, Panchayat Samiti Act, and Zilla Parishad Act which aims at inserting provision of filing affidavit by the contesting candidates and provision of disaster management in the three Acts.
Opposition parities like the BJP and Congress expressed doubts over the transparency in the installation of 99 33/11 KV PSS and 64 independent 33 KV lines of 812.05 KMs length with a total estimated cost of Rs 1796.73 crore and five transmission projects (four Grid Sub-stations and associated lines and one 132 KV line) with an outlay of Rs 259.43 crore. The two projects received the approval in the State Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday.
Earlier in 2017-18, the State government had approved Rs 3,843 crore for installation of 473 33/11 KV primary sub-stations and its associated lines under the Odisha Distribution System Strengthening Project to ensure supply of reliable and quality power to consumers.
However, the CAG report on ‘Public sector undertakings for the year ended March 2019’ found major lapses in the implementation of the project. The audit observed that physical achievement in the project was only 36 per cent (170 out of 473 sub-stations)against the financial achievement of 81 per cent (Rs 3130.08 crore utilised out of Rs 3843 crore).
The Odisha Electricity Consumers' Association demanded review of the project sanctioned earlier before infusing more funds and a thorough investigation into the matter.
Ramesh Satpathy, president of Odisha Electricity Consumers' Association said, “Despite our repeated demands, OERC (Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission) maintained silence and did not conduct a probe on the findings of the CAG report. The government must conduct inquiry before further pumping funds into the projects and take stringent action against those responsible and attach their property.”
According to sources, a steering committee was supposed to be constituted in 2017-18 to monitor spending of money in the projects under the Odisha Distribution System Strengthening Project. The panel was supposed to be headed by the Power (department) Secretary with members from Finance, Planning and Convergence, OEIC and members of all DISCOMs. However, the panel did not see the light of the day yet.
“Why has the BJD government failed to streamline the energy sector despite being in office for a long time? Making tall announcements to streamline the sector ahead of the Panchayat elections has exposed the failure of the government,” alleged BJP general secretary Lekhashree Samantasinghar.
Nishikant Mishra, spokesperson of Congress party, said, “The State government has admitted that Power sector has not made any noteworthy progress in its 21 years of rule. The government does not have the data regarding the spending of funds of around Rs 4,000 crore. The State government made the announcement yesterday with eye on Panchayat polls.”
Here Are The Key Highlights:--
1. The State Government has enhanced its contribution towards (National Pension Scheme) from 10% to 14% in respect of employees covered under NPS. This will be effective from 01.04.2019. Around 2.08 lakhs employees will be benefited from the decision.
2. The Cabinet has approved to bring Police Ministerial Officers under the ambit of Odisha Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1962, in order to bring in uniformity in the pay structure of Ministerial Officers across the State.
3. Cabinet has also given nod to Amendment to the Odisha Secretariat Stenographers' and Personal Assistants' (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1997 which will pave way for the entry of the huge pool of eligible graduates with typewriting and computer skills into the sector.
4. Framing of some new Cadre Rules
5. Cabinet approved the proposal to amend the Contractual Appointment Rules, 2013. Contractual government employees will henceforth be called ‘Initial appointees’ and the staff in Group B, C and D category of posts will be benefitted by the move.
6. Cabinet has approved the Food and Procurement Policy for KMS 2021-22 to regulate all aspects of paddy and rice procurement with a tentative target for procurement of 52 lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) of rice.
7. Approval of the Annual Report of the Lokayukta for the year 2020.
8. Amendment to the Odisha Group "B", Group "C" and Group "D" posts (Contractual Appointment) Rules, 2013.
9. Clearance of rural piped drinking water projects from JMM Funding.
As per the decision, the State government’s contribution towards the NPS has been increased to 14 percent from the existing 10 per cent. Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra said the hike will be effective retrospectively from 01.04.2019.
“This Cabinet decision will ensure parity between the Central Government and State government employees. Odisha government will contribute Rs 280 crore more towards the NPS every year. Additionally, the State government will deposit an arrear of Rs 772 crore to benefit around 2.08 lakh government employees,” said Mohapatra.
Apart from this, the Cabinet has also approved to provide family pension if an employee dies during service period.
These benefits will be applicable and extended to eligible employees of Aided Educational Institutions, Group-B contractual employees, Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ contractual employees as well.
The State Cabinet also cleared the proposal to restructure the Odisha Civil Supplies Market Intelligence Service Cadre. A new cadre, Odisha Civil Supplies Market Intelligence Service (Recruitment and Condition of Service) Rules 2021 has been formed, he said.
Similarly, the Odisha Cabinet also approved the proposal to amend the Contractual Appointment Rules, 2013. As per the amended rules, the contractual government employees will henceforth be called ‘Initial appointees’ and the employees in Group B, C and D category of posts will be benefitted by the move.
Some of the major decisions taken in the cabinet meet included giving post-facto approval for restructuring of the Odisha Finance Service (OFS) cadre through creation and upgradation of some posts in various offices. With restructuring, the cadre strength of OFS has increased from 912 to 1016.
The cabinet approved to lease out 18.23 acre land for establishment of permanent campus of IIM, Sambalpur and 20 acres each for Bagchi-Sri Shankara Cancer Centre & Research Institute and Bagchi-Karunashraya Palliative Care Centre in Bhubaneswar.
It also gave its nod for "Renovation and Restoration of Upper Indravati Right Main Canal under CLSRP at a cost of Rs 148.12 crore, which is planned to be completed in 24 months.
The Cabinet also proposed to form The Odisha Jail or Correctional Ministerial Services Rules 2021.
There is no provision for promotion of Group-D employees of Sub-ordinate offices of Prisons Organisation to Group-C Posts. In the absence of the provision, Group-1D employees of Sub-ordinate offices were deprived of getting promotion to Group-C posts despite having the requisite qualification and service experience. Group D employees have their long standing demand for promotion to Group-C posts. They are often expressing their discontentment and agony for not getting promotion.
Similarly, the Odisha Fire Service (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service of the Group officers) Rules, 2021 has been framed under Sub-section (1), read with, Clause (C) of sub-section (2) of Section 26 of Odisha Fire Service Act, 1993 . The Odisha Fire Service Group C cadre consists of the posts such as Fireman, Fireman Driver, Helper Fireman, Leading Fireman, Driver Havildar, Havildar Mechanic, Assistant Station Officer & Havildar Major.
In another major decision, the State government has framed Draft Odisha Private Security Agencies Rules, 2021 conforming to the Private Security Agencies Central Model Rules, 2020 and in supersession of the Odisha Private Security Agencies Rules, 2009.
This will facilitate submission of online as well as offline applications for licence under the Private Securities Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005, receipt of licence fees online and verification of character and antecedents of the applicants utilizing electronic database. Further, it will also facilitate grant of licence within the time frame stipulated in the Act and ease of doing business.
The government has amended Odisha Labour Service (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of services) Rules, 2019 to exclude the mandatory requirement of departmental examination for the Assistant Labour Officers (Regular) who have joined the cadre of Odisha Labour Service before commencement of the rules.
By virtue of this, the vacant posts of District Labour Officers can be filled up for better citizen centric service.
The Government of Odisha has taken a decision for implementation of Shree Mandira Parikrama Project in the Heritage city of Puri under Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme.
Cabinet has approved the lowest turnkey tender of TATA Projects Limited amounting to Rs 331.28 Crore for execution of the Shree Mandir Parikrama Project. The work is targeted for completion within a period of 18 calendar months.
Odisha cabinet also approved thr framing of Odisha Food Testing Laboratory Cadre (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021 to regulate the method of recruitment, promotion and conditions of service of the person appointed to the different posts of the State Food Testing Laboratory, Bhubaneswar.
The project will be completed in a decided time frame of 18 months.
In a press release following the cabinet briefing, the State Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said that the government has put a special focus on sports and the development of related infrastructure. The blueprint of the project has been prepared after due consultation with public representatives and sportspersons.
The stadiums will be used for multiple sports including badminton, table tennis, weight lifting and other activities like yoga and exercise sessions. It will also be used for local sports popular in their respective areas.
Apart from this, the stadiums will be designed to withstand a wind speed of up to 200 kmph. In the event of natural calamities like flood, cyclone, the stadiums will be used as cyclone shelter points. During the pandemic, the stadiums under Notified Area Councils (NAC) will be turned into 50-bedded hospitals and the ones under Municipal areas will turn into 100-bedded hospitals.
The press release further stated that the proposed stadiums will also be used in training purposes, meetings and conduct of various examinations.
It is worth mentioning that the State government has earlier taken a number of initiatives for the promotion of sports in the State, hockey in particular which earned laurels across the globe for India men’s and woman’s teams spectacular performance in the recently concluded Olympics at Tokyo. The teams are sponsored by the Odisha government since 2011 after Sahara withdrew the endorsement.
The state of the art Birsa Munda stadium, which is currently under construction in the Steel City of Rourkela is going to be a venue for the next edition of World Cup Hockey in 2023, apart from the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The plantation work will be taken up at a cost of Rs 448 crore within one km width along both sides of the major rivers and their tributaries and distributaries in 2019-20.
Sources said Rs 415 crore will be spent for plantation activities and Rs 33 crore for non-plantation activities.
The leftover area of Mahanadi, Tel and lb will also be taken up during 2019-20, said a statement released by the government. The scheme is proposed to be implemented in five years (2018-19 to 2022-23).
At the state level, the progress of implementation of the green mission will be monitored by a 12-member committee led by the chief secretary. Similarly, regular monitoring will be taken up at district and block levels.
The State Cabinet also approved a proposal for replacement of existing conventional streetlights with energy efficient smart LED streetlights in urban local bodies on Project Management Consultant (PMC) model. A total of 2.38 lakh streetlight points will be replaced under the street lighting programme.
The Cabinet also approved a proposal of the Works department for tender work for construction of a 100-seat government medical college at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district and a new building of Sishu Bhawan in Cuttack.
In a meeting presided by CM Naveen Patnaik today, the Odisha Cabinet introduced new tax slabs on registration of personal cars.
"Luxury cars costing Rs 40 lakh and above was taxed at 20 per cent. They would now be taxed at 10 per cent," said Chief Secretary, Aditya Padhi.
According to the new slabs, 6 per cent tax will be levied on registration of vehicles costing up to Rs 5 lakh; 8 per cent on vehicles between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh and 10 per cent tax will be charged on registration of vehicles priced more than Rs 10 lakh, Padhi informed.
Padhi said the decision in this regard came as the state experienced that after enhancement of tax in 2017, the sale of costlier vehicles have gone down in the state and people go to other states for registration of vehicles.
Therefore, the ultimate aim of the government for enhancing the state's revenue from motor vehicles is being defeated, Padhi pointed out.
The government also decided to reduce the registration tax on luxurious stage/contract carriers in Air Conditioned Deluxe and Sleeper and Fully Built Air Conditioned Sleeper categories.
In another decision, the Cabinet revised the lease rental of government owned IT Towers/ facilities both for core space and incubation space and modified the relevant provision of ICT Policy 2014, Padhi said.
The chief secretary said the step is being taken to encourage opening of more IT centres and start-ups in the state.
"Therefore, it is decided to reduce the rental charges for core space and incubation space in all designated government-owned IT Towers to Rs 20 per square feet for super built up area," he said.
In total, 11 proposals were approved by the cabinet, sources said.
(With PTI inputs)
Approving the revision to the BPUT Amendment Bill 2016, which had the provision for a pro-chancellor post to be occupied by the minister in-charge of technical education, the Cabinet today abolished the same. The Governor of Odisha had earlier returned the amendment bill taking exception to possible political interference in academic affairs of the varsity.
The Cabinet also approved a proposal by Tata Steel for utilisation of 1,735 acre land for development of a private industrial park at Gopalpur in Ganjam district.
Moreover, the Cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal to lease government land measuring 181.77 acres near Sambalpur in favour of Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Sambalpur for construction of a permanent campus.
A proposal to provide free-of-cost land of about 881 acres in four districts to Union Ministry of Railways for construction of Daspalla-Bolangir segment of the crucial Khurda-Bolangir new broad gauge railway line project was also cleared in the cabinet meeting today.
The cabinet also approved mega drinking water projects worth Rs 316 crore under its BASUDHA scheme that would benefit 2.79 lakh people in three blocks - Jeypore, Boriguma and Kotpad - of Koraput district.
Other important proposals which got the approval of the cabinet are hike in health insurance and medical allowance of former legislators; hike in sitting allowance of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Ministers and change in education qualification for appointment of foresters, among others.
The revised limit of health insurance for former MLAs has been increased to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 2 lakh per annum and they will be provided monthly medical allowance of Rs 2,000. Besides, the proposal to increase the sitting allowance of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Ministers to Rs 800 from Rs 150 received the Cabinet nod.
Candidates applying for the post of forester must now have a Bachelors Degree in Science. A proposal regarding this of the Forest and Environment Department was also approved by the Cabinet. A proposal of the Water Resources Department for amendment in Odisha Ground Water (Regulation, Development and. Management) Act, for setting up of two underground drip irrigation projects in Belpahar, Jharsuguda and Brajarajnagar also received the Cabinet nod.
Further, the Cabinet also decided that there would be no collection of fees from the primary members of the Cooperative Societies.
The State Cabinet on March 14 had decided to amend the Odia Official Language Act 1954 and make provision for punishing government staff who will not abide by the rule on use of the language.
However, a bill regarding this is yet to be passed in the Odisha Assembly.
On December 26, 2017, the Cabinet had decided to for madatory use of Odia in signage boards by commercial and business units.
Besides, a decision was taken for formation of the Odia Bhasa Commission. But, the execution of the decision has remained in pen and paper.
Several organisations fighting for the Odia language have expressed anguish over the delay in passing the bill on use of Odia as the Official Language.
"It seems the Odisha government does not to have any interest to make Odia as the Official language. The draft bill has not been prepared yet. The State government is only hoodwinking people," said Subas Patnaik, convener of the Odia Bhasa Andolana.
Expressing similar views Baishnab Parida, President of the Odisha Bhasha Suraksha Sammilani alleged that seriousness on part of the State government in implementing the law strictly is 'missing'.
Government office buildings and business establishments are yet to have sign and display boards in Odia.
Labour Minister Sushant Singh on the other hand said the Bill for amendment to the Odisha Official Language Act , 1954 will be tabled in Assembly in second phase of the Budget Session.
Culture Minister Ashok Panda stated the government will take action if mandatory signage in Odia norm is not followed strictly.
"Second phase of the Budget session will get over on April 30 during which several bills will be passed. After the passage of the bill in the House, we will ensure that it is executed properly," said the Labour Minister added.
As per the amendment the shops and commercial establishments can write name on the signboards in any language but it should be prominent in Odia. It will be considered as an offence if the names are not displayed in Odia and the violator will be fined as per the new provision, added Padhi.
The lawbreakers will have to pay a fine between Rs 1000 to 5000 in the first instance of violation in court of the judicial magistrate and Rs 2000 to 25,000 when the offence is repeated. Earlier, the fine amount was Rs 15 and Rs 25, respectively.
The act will come into force after getting passed in the Odisha Assembly and one month time period will be given to the shops and commercial establishments for compliance, said the Chief Secretary.
The amendment in the Orissa Official Language Act, 1954 also got the Cabinet nod under which the officers who use Odia language for official works will be rewarded and the violators of the act will be punished. The reward and punishment will be decided after the amendment is passed in the Odisha Assembly, said Padhi.
The Odisha cabinet also approved a new sub-scheme - ‘Biju Yuba Vahini’ - under the ongoing 'Biju Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana' with an aim to nurture leadership & volunteerism, promoting culture of sports & sportsmanship and engaging with youth across state.
Youths in the age group of 15 to 35 can join the ‘Biju Yuba Vahini,’ who will undertake awareness campaigns, organise sports and cultural events at panchayat and urban local body-level across Odisha.
In total 17 proposals were approved in the meeting of the Cabinet today.
Chief Secretary Padhi informed that the Cabinet approved further amendments to the Odisha Public Distribution System (Control) Amendment Order, 2018 under which around 7,000 private dealers managing Fair Price Shops in State will get an extension of one year i.e. upto March, 2019, in view of some changes in the implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Home department secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy informed about the Cabinet's approval of Odisha Civil Defence Group A & Group B Officers (Method of Recruitment and Condition of Service) Rules, 2018 to regulate the service conditions of the officers including their recruitment and promotion.
The Cabinet approved the proposal of Housing and Urban Development department to utilise Rs 345 crore towards universal coverage of urban water supply by the end of 2018-19, out of the Rs 375 crore grant earmarked by the 4th State Finance Commission, informed Padhi.
He further said that the Cabinet approved the operational guidelines for implementation of the Buxi Jagabandhu Assured Water Supply to Habitations (Basudha) scheme to provide safe drinking water to rural households.
The Cabinet also decided to regularise the jobs of around 1700 Diploma Engineers engaged as Gram Panchayat Technical Assistants under MGNREGS, said Padhi. The Diploma Engineers who have completed six years of service will be absorbed as Junior Engineers in the Odisha Diploma Engineers' Service of Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Departments against available vacancies.
The amendment to Odisha Legislative Assembly Members' Salary, Allowances and Pension (Amendment) Act 2017 was also approved by the Cabinet under which the daily sitting allowance of Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Ministers during the Assembly sessions was increased to Rs 800 from Rs 150, informed Padhi.
The Cabinet also decided to exempt the stamp duty on the indemnity bond obtained from the chit fund affected small investors, as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry on Unauthorized Collection of Public Deposits, to receive their money from the concerned authority, added Chief Secretary.
He further informed the Cabinet has approved Rs 110-crore tender for construction of a bridge over Mahanadi River connecting Singhanath Pitha and Baideswar at Gopinathpur in Cuttack district.
Universal Eye Health Programme of Health and Family Welfare department also got the Cabinet nod under which eye care infrastructure will be developed at all government hospitals across Odisha.
Besides, few other proposals of the Health department also got the Cabinet nod today, informed Padhi.
Additional Secretary, MSME LN Gupta informed that the Cabinet approved certain amendments to Odisha Startup Policy, 2016. It encouraged that at least 33 percent of the Startups should be led by women and approved an incremental monthly allowance of Rs 22,000 if the Startup Founder(s) / Co Founder(s) are women or transgenders or from social categories such as SC/ST/SEBC/PH.
Lastly, the Cabinet decided to allot the Odia Virtual Academy to the Odisha Electronics & Information Technology Department, said Chief Secretary Padhi.
"There will be an open ballot in place of secret ballot. We have not mentioned it as open ballot but it will be prescribed in the rules as parties are unable to know if their members are obeying the party whip or not," said Chief Secretary, Aditya Prasad Padhi.
Various other proposals got the Cabinet nod today including Rs 15 crore loan to Aska Co-operative Sugar Industries and proposal for setting up a Milk Production Unit with a daily production capacity of 5 lakh litres in Barang.
Moreover, the Cabinet approved the proposal to segregate the Tourism & Culture Department and rename the Culture wing as Odia Language, Literature and Culture department. The amendments made to Odisha Jail Service (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2012 also got the Cabinet nod.
The cabinet also approved 5 water supply projects worth Rs 370 crore to provide purified water to 217 fluoride-affected villages of Nuapada district and underground pipeline (UGPL) irrigation system worth Rs 243 crore in lower Indra to facilitate irrigation of 13,800 hectares in Nuapada and Bolangir districts.
"You may be aware that there are 905 villages in Nuapada district where the water supply is affected due to fluoride contamination and as a temporary measure the government has installed filters in the bore-wells there. Regular piped-water supply will be provided to the villages through the present water supply scheme," added Padhi.
While OAS posts have been increased from 1,550 to 1,700, the number of OFS posts have increased from 723 to 800, informed Chief Secretary, Aditya Prasad Padhi.
The Cabinet meeting which was chaired by Naveen Patnaik today also gave its nod to set up a Handlooms and Handicrafts development and promotion council to boost industry’s growth and ensure welfare of artisans. The government will provide Rs 20 crore during the current financial year to the council.
"The council would assess the impact of various schemes and programmes being implemented for weavers, artisans and advise the government in framing of policies for the handloom and handicraft sectors," said Padhi.
The Cabinet also decided to upgrade the cadres of Odisha Motor Vehicle Department. From now on, a Senior Class I officer will be appointed as Regional Transport Officer (RTO) and Junior Class I officer will be appointed as Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI).
Besides, the Cabinet also cleared the Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules 2017.
https://youtu.be/KegHKMhJjDg
The sub-panel of the amenities committee today decided to increase the monthly salary and other allowances of MLAs from Rs 58,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
While chief minister’s salary has been hiked to Rs 98,000, deputy chief minister and speaker will now earn Rs 97,500 monthly as compared to Rs 58,500 earlier. The hike will also see salaries of ministers, leader of opposition and government chief whip increase from Rs 58,000 to Rs 97,000.
Similarly, ministers of state and deputy speaker will now get a salary of Rs 95,000 monthly, while deputy ministers will get Rs 93,000 against a previous salary of Rs 56,000.
A breakdown of the total salary shows, that car allowance for all has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 17,000 while sumptuary allowance has been hiked from Rs 24,000 to Rs 40,000.
The State government had revised the emoluments last time in 2009.
Earlier in the day several MLAs from both ruling and Opposition parties met chief minister Naveen Patnaik and urged him to approve the salary hike demands while further asking him to increase funds under MLA Local Area Development (LAD) fund to a minimum of Rs 3 crore from Rs 1 crore.
Legislators have been demanding for fatter pay packets for quite some time now and the issue had heated up the Budget session of the Assembly back in April.
A meeting of the State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved the recommendations regarding salary hike following which the revised salary structure for various groups of employees will be in 17 different levels starting from level 1 with minimum pay of Rs 16,600.
"Pay and pension are to be fixed in the revised structure by multiplying a factor of 2.57," said Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi after the meeting.
He further informed that the prevailing career advancement scheme, Revised Assured Career Progression (RACP) scheme, was substituted by Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) scheme in line with the Central Government rules.
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While the earlier gratuity was calculated on the basic pay only, dearness allowance will be included with emoluments for calculation of Death cum Retirement Gratuity (DCRG).
As per the revised rate the existing ceiling of Rs 7.5 lakh gratuity is enhanced to Rs 15 lakh and the minimum pension or family pension is calculated as Rs 8,300.
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Contractual employees under the State Government were also benefited from the Cabinet meeting as Odisha Government decided to enhance the remuneration of the contractual employees by about 25 per cent.
In a bid to enhance the remuneration of the contractual employees the Cabinet approved amendment of the Odisha Group-B Posts (contractual Appointment) Rules, 2013 and Odisha Group-C and Group-D Posts (Contractual appointment) Rule, 2013.
Talking to media persons, Padhi said, "The monthly consolidated remuneration of contractual employees will be increased by about 25 per cent at their initial appointment and 10 per cent increase every year till their regularisation as per rules."
The revised remuneration will come into effect from January, 2016. Annual increase in remuneration will be payable after a year from the next date an employee completes one year of continuous service, subject to satisfactory performance.
The increased remuneration will be paid from the month of September, 2017. While the minimum remuneration for the lowest category of contractual employee will be Rs 8,070 at the time of joining, the highest initial amount is fixed at Rs 16,880.
Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey informed that the contractual employees will also avail the arrears like the regular employees.
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After implementation of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations the annual additional expenditure for the State would be about Rs 4500 crore.
However, some believe that the government will not face any financial issues with the implementation of the pay panel’s recommendations as it is supposed to get Rs 1500 crore, annually, from IOCL and Rs 17,000 crore as penalty from the illegal mining leaseholders in the State.
Though the State government had mulled formation of the Council earlier, but it had not been possible.
Talking to OTV, Higher Education Minister Ananta Das said, “The Higher Education Council is formed in compliance with the Central Government guidelines. At present, ‘quantity’ in education is being stressed and not ‘quality’; many students are passing their examinations but are performing below standard, therefore this step has been taken to develop the standards.”
The Council will consist of 15 members with State Higher Education Minister as the Chairperson and an administrator of professor rank will be the Vice-Chairperson. Vice Chancellors of three universities, Principals of two Autonomous Colleges, a Central Government representative, a scientist and an able administrator will also be included in the team.
Rules for formation of the Council are also mentioned in National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986 and Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) of Central Government.
Many universities and educationists have welcomed this decision of the government.
“RUSA had been asking for it. This is the requirement to spend RUSA funds and develop plans. World Bank grants may also be included. The council was a statutory requirement that has been set up in many states but was pending here. It is a welcome step and I am sure any input into higher education is a much needed input,” said Vice Chancellor of Utkal University Ashok Kumar Das.
Senior BJD leader Sashi Bhusan Behera was given charge of the Finance and Excise department while Parliamentary affairs and rural development was allocated to Bikram Arukh.
Patnaik allocated agriculture and general administration to Damodar Rout, who earlier held the portfolio of Excise department.
Here are the details of portfolios allocated to ministers in Naveen Patnaik government.
Minister of State
The meeting decided that the state government will remain as guarantor for the loan given to Aska Sugar Mill.
The Cabinet also approved a proposal of the Finance department for amendment in Sales Tax and VAT Rules.
It also approved the proposal of the Water Resources department on compensation towards acquisition of land for irrigation project. With this, all people of the village will be entitled to compensation if 75 percent of government land in their village is acquired for irrigation project.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said the cabinet approved the amendment in the Odisha Minor Minerals Concession Rules-2016. Under the new rules, some major minerals like quartz, quartzite, fireclay, dolomite, China clay will be now considered as minor minerals.
“It has been decided that the state government will auction the aforesaid minor minerals with a lease period of 30 years. Apart from this, materials used in construction like sand, morum soil and stone would be brought under mining lease mechanism and the state government would be auctioned for five years,” he said, adding that the decision to increase royalty on minor minerals would be made three and half times in every three years.
The state government has decided to provide various incentives to the investors to set up their projects in the state.
The Renewable Energy Policy, which will remain in force until March 2022, envisages to achieve around 2,750 MW renewable energy from the non-conventional sources in the state by the year 2022.
The state government shall provide a corpus of Rs 250 crore (Rs 50 crore per year) over a period of five years for the creation of a revolving fund namely Odisha Renewable Energy Development Fund, said Padhi.
Besides, the cabinet also cleared a proposal on government guarantee of Rs 1100 crore for Gridco. As other states do not have renewable energy policy, the state cabinet has approved this proposal, the chief secretary pointed out.
This fund will be utilised for development of infrastructure required for the accelerated development of renewable energy, he added.
Moreover, under Odisha apparel policy 2016, the state government has targeted to create one lakh to 1.5 lakh jobs in next five years.
"For apparel units where employment is minimum 200 workers, the unit will receive incentives of Rs 1,000 per worker per month on actual employment by the unit, on financial year basis. This facility will be available for a period of 36 months," said the chief secretary.
Apart from this, the Cabinet approved Odisha Tourism Policy in which the state government would provide capital investment subsidy to the tune of 20 percent subject to a ceiling of Rs 10-15 crore depending on the project cost. “To attract the entrepreneurs, the state government would set up a land bank to provide them the land at 5 percent interest subsidy,” Padhi said.
The proposal for constitution of Odisha state Higher Education Council also received the Cabinet nod. The Council would be headed by the Higher Education minister as its chairperson. The Council will have a vice chairperson and 15 persons as members. “Constitution of this Council has been decided as per the requirement of the Rashtriya Ucchatar Siksha Abhijan (RUSA).
The Cabinet cleared amendment in Odisha Agricultural Produce Markets Act, new transit rules, 2016 for Odisha Sandalwood Board to bring more restrictions in dealing the transit, issuance of license, possession and sale of this valuable wood.
It also approved amendment in the Odisha Forensic Science Service Amendment Rules, and cleared the new MSME Development Policy-2016 and Food Processing Policy, 2016.
Under the new Food Processing Policy, the state government has made a provision for capital subsidy of 25 percent subject to a maximum of Rs 2 crore. Besides, the government will also provide subsidy for setting up of a NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories) accredited testing laboratory which is an important item in the food processing. The test would be conducted both at the government and private sectors.
In the MSME policy, the state government has enhanced capital investment subsidy to new units from 10 per cent to 25 per cent subject to the upper limit of Rs 1 crore.
To boost the growth of MSME in industrial backward districts, an additional capital investment subsidy of 5 per cent would be provided.
Among others, the Cabinet decided to reduce the Revenue Stamp duty for women in the purchase of land and building from 5 percent to 4 percent.
It also approved amendment in the Grant-in-Aid Act, 2013 to increase the monthly emoluments of the high school, upper primary, Madrasa and Sanskrit toll teachers by 25 percent with 3 percent annual increment hike.
The new cadre and recruitment rules of the social security officers at the block and sub division and district level also got Cabinet nod.
The Cabinet also approved the new Health Care Investment policy. “Since health care services in 11 districts of Odisha are not very high, the government has decided to encourage private investment in this sector with 30 percent capital investment subsidy,” the chief secretary informed.
Besides, it also approved the new Pharma Policy in which the state government will provide 50 subsidy subject to a cap of Rs 10 crore if the concerned company will set up its industry in the cluster area. The government will also provide capital investment subsidy up to 10 percent.
The cabinet also cleared a proposal in the amendment in the Odisha Education Tribunal Rules. Once this new Rule is passed, a copy of it would be given to the state government.
In the policy, the state government has set a tentative target of collecting 30 lakh metric tonne rice (in terms of paddy, it would be 44 lakh metric tonne) during the entire year covering Kharif and Rabi procurement.
In KMS (Kharif Marketing Season) 2014-15 and 2015-16, the state government had collected 35.46 lakh tonne rice and 34.43 lakh tonne respectively, said Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma.
The cabinet, however, authorised the department to revise the target if the need arises.
"Kharif paddy will be procured during the period from November 2016 to March 2017 and Rabi paddy during May and June 2017," said the minister.
Paddy will be procured from the farmers who are registered in the online portal of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare (FS&CW) department, he added.
Paddy will be procured as per the Minimum Support Price (MSP) declared by the Centre. While Rs 1,470 would be provided per quintal for common paddy, Rs 1,510 per quintal would be provided for grade-A variety, said the minister.
The paddy would be collected through paddy procurement automation system (P-PAS), ensuring 100 per cent documentation through a computerised system.
The farmers, who have no Aadhaar card, can also sell their paddy.
Nearly 9 lakh farmers "have already registered in the paddy procurement process, while 7.93 lakh farmers have been issued Aadhaar cards. The process of Aadhaar card generation would be completed by October end," said Dasburma.
Payment of farmers' dues would be transferred by state agencies to their bank accounts through electronic mode, he added.
The cabinet also approved the extension of value added tax (VAT) relaxation on pulses and all kinds of dals for another three months.
The state government had in July reduced VAT from 5 per cent to 1 per cent for a period of three months.
Besides, the Chief secretary informed that the proposal to set up a 100-bedded for mother and children care hospital in Kendrapara at a cost of Rs 110 crore was also approved by the Cabinet.
Moreover, a bridge on Mahanadi River to connect Athmallcik and Boudh would be built at a cost of Rs 168 crore within a time frame of 36 months.
The Cabinet also decided to exempt VAT for pani panchayat’s in State.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said the cabinet approved the Odisha Food Commission Rules for formation of Food Commission in the state.
“Under the provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, each state has to constitute a State Food Commission on the basis of which the state cabinet approved the Odisha Food Commission Rules. As per the provisions of the Rules, the State Food Commission will be headed by a chairperson in the rank of chief secretary. The commission will have five members in the rank of principal secretary. It will also have a member secretary who will be from the Food Supply and Consumer Welfare department in the rank of joint secretary or deputy secretary,” Padhi said.
He also made it clear that there are no mandatory provisions that the officials will be the members of the Commission. “Anyone can apply,” he added.
He said the state government will receive applications through advertisements in newspapers and government websites. A search committee, headed by the chief secretary, will screen the applicants. The Development Commissioner and secretary, Food Supply and Consumer Welfare, will be the members of the committee. The committee will recommend the applicants to the government which will select them.
The chief secretary said the Commission has to be constituted because under the NFSA, entitlement has become a right. Each person has the right to have 5 kgs of foodgrains per month.
“If a person is not getting his/her entitlement, he has the right to redress his/her grievances to the District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO). The PD, DRDA in each district has been designated as the DGRO. If the person is not satisfied with the verdict of the DGRO, he can appeal to the Food Commission,” he pointed out.
He further said that the tenure of the Food Commission will be three years while the members will have the age limit of 65 which is extendable by one year.
Besides, the state cabinet also approved a proposal of the Energy department for inclusion of a provision in the Odisha Electricity Duty Act the amendment of which was approved by the state cabinet in its meeting held in September last year. As per the amendment, if the metre installed by the independent power producers (IPPs) to record their personal consumption, has gone out of order, there will be no provision to charge electricity duty on the concerned IPP.
The chief secretary also informed that the cabinet approved a proposal of the Housing and Urban Development department for construction of 5957 public and community toilets in nine cities—Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Balasore, Bhadrak, Baripada and Sambalpur—having population of over one lakh.
It has been decided the Sulabh International will take up the construction of these toilets. “There will be no tenders for this project. As the government has found the work of Sulabh International satisfactory during the Nabakelabara in Puri where it had constructed 15 toilets within a short time, it has decided to assign the work to the company,” he pointed out.
“The budget for this project would be around Rs 70 crore over a period of three years which would be met by the Swachh Bharat (75%) and the state government (25%),” he informed.
According to the state government, this decision will help strengthen technical education in Odisha. The move is also expected to facilitate high quality graduate and post-graduate education, research, and industry linkage, the government informed. On Saturday, the Odisha Cabinet also approved 15 key proposals of various departments.
The major approvals include amendment of Odisha Civil Services (Criteria for Promotion) Rules, 1992; development project for widening of Duduka-Gopalpur-Toparia road in Sundargarh; upgradation of Odisha State Wide Area Network (OSWAN) programme to strengthen IT infrastructure at the block levels, for which the government is likely to invest Rs 332 crore.
The State Cabinet has also approved proposal for amendment of Odisha sub-ordinate Statistics & Economics Service Rules, 1994, amendment of the Odisha Govt Land Settlement Act, 1962, and amendment of Indian Stamp Act, 1899.
The Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved the proposals of varied departments.
Informing the Cabinet decisions, Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra said that the important decisions included the establishment of Odisha University of Technology and Research at Bhubaneswar.
Check the other major decisions taken by the Cabinet:
- improvement of water supply to Joda and Champua in Keonjhar
- mega pipe water supply project for Bisra, Lathikata, Lahuniapada and Bonai blocks of Sundergarh
- mega pipe water supply project for Lepripara, Tangarapali, Sundergarh, Bargaon, Subdega and Balisankara blocks in Sundergarh
- mega pipe water supply project for all villages of Athgarh and Tigiria blocks of Cuttack
- improvement of Duduka-Gopalpur-Toparia road to 2-Lane with paved shoulder in the district of Sundergarh
- waived out the royalty and other statutory payments for supply of Khnodalite blocks under the augmentation of basic amenities and development of heritage architecture (ABHADA) scheme for Puri
Besides, the rules regarding Odisha civil services, Heads of Departments’ (HoD) common cadre, Jail pharmacist service and Odisha Panchayat executive officers service were also considered and approved in the meeting, said the State Chief Secretary.
The government has decided to spend Rs 466.08 crore in 5 years to improve menstrual hygiene among adolescent girl students of the state.
Under the scheme, the state will provide free sanitary napkins to 17.25 lakh girls studying in Classes 6 to 12 in government and government-aided schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawaharlal Navodaya Vidyalayas located in the state, said chief secretary A.P. Padhi.
Each girl will be provided 18 numbers of belt less sanitary napkins per month, he added.
The scheme will be implemented by the health and family welfare department of the state.
The state cabinet also approved piped water supply projects in Boudh district under Basudha scheme. A total of 2.92 lakh people in two blocks of the district will be provided drinking water by spending Rs 427.59 crore.
The government will spend Rs 555.42 crore for rural piped water supply projects, which will benefit 3.17 lakh people in four blocks of Nabarangpur district.
The cabinet also approved a scholarship scheme for children of beneficiaries of Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme.
The children, who are either studying or aspiring for technical and professional education, would be benefited, said Padhi.
The JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)- funded Odisha Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project (OISIP) was started in 2013 to ease the perennial problems of flooding in the city. It is learnt that only 30 per cent work of the project has been completed so far.
Meanwhile, the State Cabinet earlier this month approved Rs 450.44 crore for construction of box drains and roads in Cuttack from Pattapola to Matrubhawan to prevent flooding and ease traffic congestion in the city. Soon State Housing and Urban Development Minister Pratap Jena took to Twitter to thank Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the funds.
However, the move made grounds for the Opposition to target the State government who believe crores of rupees are being embezzled under the grab of the project. The Congress questioned as to how the State government could sanction funds afresh for the box drains which were already part of the JICA-funded project.
Congress Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moqim said, “Box drains were already included in the JICA project and the contract agency had finished 25 to 30 per cent works. The project is lying incomplete for the last eight years and people are facing inconvenience.”
BJP Cuttack City president Lalatendu Badu said, “Central as well State allocations are being siphoned off. Initially, it was assured that the project will complete in 4-5 years, but it is still lying incomplete even though eight years have passed.”
Started in 2013, the initial cost of the project was Rs 974 crore. Though half of the project is yet to be completed, the project cost has soared to Rs 3000 crore. Further, Rs 450 crore was expected to be spent by 2022 for box drains, but the delayed project has increased the plight of the residents instead of improving.
Bhubaneswar: To create an additional irrigation potential of 10 lakh hectares by 2018-19, Odisha government today approved proposals to award works worth Rs 1,796.27 crore for 54 more projects in four clusters under mega lift irrigation scheme.
The proposals were approved at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is also in-charge of the water resources department.
While L&T will take up projects in two clusters at a cost of Rs 1,028 crore, GVPR Engineering Ltd will execute projects in one cluster at a cost of Rs 297 crore.
Megha Engineering will work at 14 points in one cluster at a cost of Rs 296 crore, Chief Secretary A P padhi told reporters.
He said these schemes will cover 23 blocks in the districts of Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, Ganjam, Kalahandi and Nuapada.
With award of works for the four clusters of the total 12, Odisha government aims to provide irrigation to 2.3 lakh hectares. A total Rs 5008 crore would be spent for the 12 clusters, Padhi said.
He said by 2018-19 75,000 hectares will be irrigated through minor irrigation projects, while 4.8 lakh hectares will get water through lift irrigation projects. Remaining 2.45 lakh hectares will get water through mega irrigation scheme.
The state government, he said, has allocated more funds for the water resource department for the purpose of increasing the irrigation potential and has decided to take up about 4,000 check dams per year to give more irrigation facilities to blocks with less than 35 per cent of irrigation areas.More community lift irrigation points and deep bore well would be taken up in those blocks, he said and added a large number of mega lift irrigation schemes would be undertaken on priority basis to irrigate deficit blocks as part of government's strategy for equitable development of the state, Padhi said.
Among other noteworthy proposals, Odisha State Legal Services Cadre, Municipal Administration Cadre Rules, and proposal to increase minimum age limit for lecturers of Ayurvedic colleges to 40 years got cabinet nod.
Moreover, proposal to amend Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana also got cabinet approval. Under the amended guidelines, the financial assistance has been increased to Rs 1cr per block in non-tribal areas and Rs 1.5 cr in tribal areas.
This apart, the cabinet has also cleared an amendment to the Secretariat Data Entry Operator (DEO) cadre rules. As per the new norms, the DEOs will have two more layers for promotion.
Five tenders for rural drinking water projects have been approved while provision for supply of fresh and clean drinking water to saline areas of Bhadrak have also been cleared by the Cabinet. The project will be implemented at a cost of around Rs 754 crore and will benefit people of as many as 5 blocks of Bhadrak district.
Likewise, the cabinet has also approved drinking water projects worth Rs 979 crore for Keonjhar district, Rs 708 crore for mining-affected areas of Angul district and Rs 315 crore for Dhenkanal district.
Chief Secretary AP Padhi said, "Decision has been taken to upgrade ASBM, a management school in Bhubaneswar to an university. Besides, under the rural pipe water supply scheme, five separate tenders have received the cabinet approval today."
As per the modifications, the storage condition has been revised up to minus 20 degree Celsius subject to condition that the vaccines will remain stable and maintain its potency at 2 degree Celsius to 8 degree Celsius for at least 12 hours.
“Keeping the overall view of vaccinating the targeted population within a period of four months and limited supplier of vaccines in the world market, the bid document has been prepared in a manner that it will send a positive signal to the sellers. Relaxation in EMD, Bid security and Liquidated Damage has been provided to attract the bidders,” a release issued by the State government read.
“Basing on the queries of bidders and to make the participation of bidders more flexible, amendments have been incorporated as suggested by the designated committee of OSMCL,” it stated.
The Cabinet has also decided to procure the vaccines from the open market through global tender by Odisha State Medical Corporation Ltd.(OSMCL).
The Government of Odisha has announced the new vaccination policy initiative under which the population of within the age group of 18-44 years will be provided with the free vaccines at the cost of the State exchequer, the release stated further.
The meeting, which was chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, also decided to form a technical team for swift procurement of vaccines and vaccination.
Moreover, in an attempt to strengthen Odisha’s preparedness to fight the second wave of Covid-19, the Cabinet has also given nod to amendments in IPR 2015 to incentivise production of medical oxygen in the State. This will offer benefits to those manufacturing medical oxygen and containers.
Reiterating its determination to fight the virus, the Cabinet also urged the Centre to exempt vaccines from all tax liabilities to reduce burden on finances and facilitate Odisha’s drive towards universal vaccination. Besides, it also requested for suitable sharing of various cess and surcharges at this juncture to augment States’ resources.
While appreciating the hard work and sacrifices of COVID warriors across the State, CM Naveen expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people for their cooperation in the fight against pandemic-whether it is testing, tracing, vaccination and lockdown.
"Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik moved a motion in the cabinet praising the action of IAF to protect our country. The cabinet unanimously adopted a resolution to this effect," said a statement from Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
Earlier, the Chief Minister said: "I salute the IAF for having taken action to protect our country."
Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved a proposal to provide compensation to victims in man-animal conflicts within 15 days.
With the amendment to Wildlife Protection (Odisha) Rules 1974, while an inquiry will be made within 3 days, the compensation will be paid within 15 days from the date of lodging of FIR.
The policy will promote quality Odia films, facilitate film tourism in the state, establish Odisha as a destination of film shooting and improve screen density in Odisha, said chief secretary A P Padhi.
He said the policy has been formulated in consultation with stakeholders including film industry associations, experts from the fraternity, government departments and agencies.
To enhance the ease of filming and facilitate the development of related institutions, the Odisha State Film Policy, 2019 proposes to implement a single window approval process for shooting of films in the state.
It is proposed that all proposals for film cities, multiplexes and cinema halls will be facilitated through the government's single window for investors facilitation and tracking portal, he said.
"To encourage filmmakers to shoot in Odisha, a subsidy up to Rs 2.5 crore shall be provided to English/ Hindi/ other language films that promote Odisha, its culture, heritage, tourist destinations and to Odia films which convey aesthetic excellence, high technical standards and social relevance, up to two additional eligible films by the same filmmakers shall be provided with a subsidy of Rs 4 crore," the policy said.
This apart, the state government will provide an assistance of Rs 10 crore to the first three big budget Hindi or International language films, having a minimum budget of Rs 50 crore, which promote Odisha, its culture, heritage, tourist destination and others. Besides, the policy also provides concession to filmmakers on their stay during shooting in Odisha.
The policy also aims to develop Kalinga Studio with world-class infrastructure.
It also focuses on the development of film cities, cinema halls and multiplex in the state through appropriate incentives.
These incentives include capital investment subsidy, interest subsidy, stamp duty exemption, reimbursement of land conversion charges, reimbursement of SGST, exemption in electricity duty, environmental protection infrastructure subsidy and support for upgradation of screening infrastructure.
The first film city project in Odisha will be eligible for a capital investment subsidy up to Rs 30 crore. Land for film city, cinema hall and multiplex shall be allotted at concessional rates as per the provision of Industrial Policy Resolution, 2015.
Padhi said these measures are expected to contribute significantly towards a conducive ecosystem for the sector.
At a meeting held on Friday, the Odisha Cabinet approved the decision to implement Commission's recommendations made in its first interim report which includes removal of structures around the temple up to 75 metres from the boundary on all sides to facilitate free movement of devotees and safety of the temple.
“The Commission had recommended keeping three passages for devotees along the boundary wall within 75mts of the temple. Hence, Puri Collector will be authorised to initiate a series of actions including survey, demarcation and acquisition of required land,” said Development Commissioner, Asit Tripathy.
Tripathy further stated that a redevelopment plan will be created for the rehabilitation of the affected persons including institutions as well as vendors.
The cabinet meeting also approved the proposal to set up a statutory Maritime Board in a bid to give impetus to ports and provide necessary logistic support keeping in view massive development in mines and minerals, oil refining and gas and power sectors.
Odisha Martime Board, which will be headed by the chief secretary, will have 12 members. The Board will basically work to ensure better administration, control and management of non-major ports and non-nationalised inland waterways.
It is pertinent to mention here that Odisha government had earlier passed a Bill in 2011 for the constitution of Maritime Board but it was withdrawn for addition of more provisions.
Odisha Maritime Board will act as a single window facilitator for the overall maritime development of the State by setting up policies, guidelines and directions for the integrated development of ports and inland water transport in view of country’s security and defence-related concerns.
The Odisha Cabinet also approved the financial restructuring of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC). As a result, the old dues of OSRTC and State government will be settled permanently. Besides, the accumulated loss of Rs 169.93 crore will be taken up against the Share Capital in a phased manner.
Official sources said once the losses are adjusted, OSRTC can approach financial institutions for taking up commercially-viable projects to provide better amenities to its passengers.
The resentment is particularly over the decision of removal of structures around the temple up to 75 meters from the boundary on all sides of the Srimandir to facilitate free movement of devotees as recommended by the B.P.Das Commission. Odisha Cabinet on Friday approved to implement the recommendations of the Commission.
“A lot of important offices, houses and other religious institutions are located within 75mts along the boundary wall of Puri Srimandir. It seems that the Commission has not conducted proper review of the existing infrastructure. We urge Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to reconsider such decision and immediately depute a committee to review things,” said Binayak Das Mohapatra, senior servitor.
Mohapatra further stated that, “As there is apprehension that it may trigger public outrage, we will move court as attempts have been made to distort the historical importance of the pilgrim city.
As per official sources the Commission has recommended to keep three passages for devotees along the boundary wall within 75mts of the 12th century shrine. Puri Collector will be authorised to initiate a series of actions including survey, demarcation and acquisition of required land for implementing the recommendations.
Senior officials informed that a redevelopment plan will be created for the rehabilitation of the affected persons including institutions as well as vendors.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, chief secretary Asit Tripathy said the Cabinet has approved the Food and Procurement Policy for Kharif Marketing Season (KMS), 2019 to regulate all aspects of paddy and rice procurement during the ensuing KMS.
The government has fixed a tentative target of 41 lakh metric tonne (LMT) in terms of rice (60 LMT in terms of paddy). For Kharif, the tentative target for procurement of paddy would be 50 LMT and for Rabi 10 LMT.
The Cabinet has further stated that Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) and other agencies shall engage PACS/ LAMPCS/Women SHGs/Pani panchayats in paddy procurement operations. This apart, it has been decided that disbursal of payment of farmers dues on account of paddy sold to government shall be transferred directly to their bank accounts through online mode within 24 to 48 hours of the sale of paddy to the government.
The Cabinet also approved a tender for construction of a modern Inter-State Bus Terminal at Baramunda, Bhubaneswar and bus depot at Khandagiri on Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) mode.
The government has decided to take up a project to establish a Modern Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Baramunda, Bhubaneswar and a bus Depot at Khandagiri for shifting of the present Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) Bus Depot from Baramunda. It is a strategic project not only for improving the public transit system in the city but also connecting many capital cities and business centres in other states.
The ISBT will have an idle bus parking space for 190 buses, apart from a public parking space for more than 250 four-wheelers and about 175 two Wheelers.
The Cabinet further approved construction of a Teaching Hospital for new government medical college at Bolangir on basis of PI tender in order to improve the medical education and to cater to the needs of qualified doctors. The work has been targeted for completion within two and half years.
The policy has been prepared with objectives of ensuring continuous growth in farmers' income, making the growth process inclusive of small and marginal farmers and ensuring sustainable, stable, and scalable agricultural growth, said agriculture secretary Saurabh Garg.
The agriculture policy named as 'Samridhi' focuses on creating an ecosystem interlining inputs-production-markets, sustainable increase in yields of paddy and diversification to high-value agriculture, encouraging efficient and ecologically sensitive use of inputs mainly water, land and soil.
It also emphasises on promoting processing which includes cleaning, grading etc for better value capture, creating value chains particularly for vegetables and livestock, reducing wastages by promoting pre and post-harvest management, adapting to climate change techniques and technology.
The agriculture policy also encompasses activities in different sectors of fisheries, livestock, procurement, credit, insurance and irrigation for boosting the overall farmers' income.
The cabinet also approved an amendment to the Odisha District Revenue Service (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1983.
The government also decided to give one-time relaxation in enhancing the upper age limit from 33 years to 48 years for recruitment of lectures under rule 4(2)(c) of Orissa Education Service (College Branch) Recruitment Rules 1990.
(IANS)
As per the resolution passed by the Odisha Cabinet today, the State government decided to move the Government of India so that an enumeration of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and Other Backward Classes/Castes (SEBC) be conducted simultaneously along-with the General Census.
The cabinet’s resolution further stated that the exercise can be done, either by inserting suitable columns in the 2021 General Census format or by prescribing a separate format for a simultaneous enumeration of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and Other Backward Classes/Castes.
Panchayati Raj department Minister Pratap Jena informed that due to unavailability of reliable and authentic data about the exact numbers of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and Other Backward Classes/Castes, geographical areas of their spread and density, ensuring focussed and outcome-specific planning is becoming a challenging task.
The Cabinet highlighted there is no provision to capture the details of the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and Other Backward Classes/Castes despite having done such exercise in the SECC 2011, the full data from which is yet to be released.
In a press briefing today, Chief Secretary, Asit Tripathy said, Rs 17000 crore will be spent between June 2020 and March 2021 for livelihood of migrant workers on a war footing.
All tourism projects including hotels, restaurants will get land from IDCO.
All tourism projects including hotels, restaurants will get land from IDCO.
Undergraduate courses agriculture and allied have been given professional degree courses.
-- #Odisha Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy after Cabinet meet
— OTV (@otvnews) May 29, 2020
One of South Odisha's prominent industries, Aska Co-operative Sugar Industries Ltd was given a guarantee of Rs 15 crore to avail cash credit loan. Aska Co-op Central Bank had already drawn the amount. Cabinet today gave post facto nod, informed Tripathy.
Aska Co-operative Sugar Industries Ltd has been given a guarantee of Rs 15 crore to avail cash credit loan. Aska Co-op Central Bank has already drawn the amount. Cabinet today gave post facto nod.
- #Odisha Chief Secy Asit Tripathy
— OTV (@otvnews) May 29, 2020
Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) was transferred to State Energy department for better management of renewable sources of power to draw better projects and investments in the State.
OREDA has been transferred to Energy department for better management of renewable sources of power to draw better projects and investment: #Odisha Chief Secy Asit Tripathy
— OTV (@otvnews) May 29, 2020
In a major boost for farmers, contract farming to be encouraged. Services it will cover include production, post-harvest, marketing. It will help agricultural entrepreneurs aggregate produce in a better manner. New investment in agriculture will be a win-win situation for farmers.
Contract farming to be encouraged. Services it will cover include production, post-harvest, marketing. It will help agricultural entrepreneurs aggregate produce in a better manner. New investment in agriculture will be a win-win situation for farmers: #Odisha Chief Secy pic.twitter.com/dkPWCrOg0n
— OTV (@otvnews) May 29, 2020
State Cabinet approved a proposal for setting up a permanent NDRF company headquarters on 3.50 acre land at Hidigaon in Balasore district.
State Cabinet has approved a proposal for setting up a NDRF permanent company headquarters on 3.50 acre land near PD village under Sadar tehsil of Balasore district: #Odisha Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy pic.twitter.com/tfGOessu2e
— OTV (@otvnews) May 29, 2020
State Cabinet granted permission to allow workers to work for 115 hours of overtime in 3 months. Similarly, women workers can now be engaged in all small and large scale industries. Odisha govt finalised detail guidelines for their safety and security during night hours.
State Cabinet has granted permission to allow workers to work 115 hours overtime in 3 months.
Women workers can now be engaged in all small and large scale industries. #Odisha govt has finalised detail guidelines for their safety and security during night hours
- Chief Secy pic.twitter.com/OH1XmFtl7E
— OTV (@otvnews) May 29, 2020
In another major proposal cleared in the cabinet, Odisha government approved establishment of a medical park in Dhenkanal and a textile park at Dhamara in Bhadrak.
Similarly, the Council of Ministers today passed a resolution acknowledging the service rendered by nurses, doctors, ASHA & Anganwadi workers, ULBs, and Panchayati Raj Department in their fight against Coronavirus.
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Addressing a presser today, State BJP general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan alleged that doing away with the concept of University Senate is a well-planned conspiracy of the State government. The BJP leader also stated that the State government is conspiring to take over University Management, recruitment as well as the selection of Vice-Chancellors.
"The ruling-BJD has declared to shut some 596 schools. Several colleges in Odisha have no lecturers. However, the government hasn't taken any step to address the issues. It is clear that the decision of such a reformation is a planned conspiracy by the government to control the entire management of Universities as per their whims and fancies," alleged Harichandan.
“Any reformation in law should focus on public interests and should be beneficial for everyone. Will the decision to amend OUA help the public or the education sector in any way? Will the decision benefit students and lecturers or will it strengthen the State government? With such an arbitrary move, the government is trying to take over the recruitment and management policy of Universities,” alleged BJP leader Pitambar Acharya.
Further, the BJP leaders questioned whether the State government has consulted anyone before coming up with such a decision. Stating the reformation of policies and laws related to higher education as Centre's business, BJP furthered its disapproval and of severe protest. The saffron party also levelled allegations that the Odisha government is trying to hamper the dignity of varsities.
"State government has planned to restructure the Syndicate by inducting 6 new members to the body which was earlier controlled as per autonomy. The selection procedure in universities is far better than OPSC selection. Stopping such a system is a conspiracy and we condemn such an act. We have launched our protest from Utkal University and this will reach every university across the state," said a Congress leader.
However, BJD leader Amar Satpathy said, "Government's core aim is to expand the education system and services to benefit all. We have considered several factors and consulted academicians before taking the decision. Giving a political angle to such a developmental decision is unwelcoming."
(Edited By Devbrat Patnaik)
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The cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and held through video conference, cleared the proposal for introduction of the Odisha Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and replacement of two ordinances, Chief Secretary A K Tripathy said.
As the state assembly is set to meet for the monsoon session later this month, the cabinet approved the bill for introduction in the House, Principal Secretary, Finance, A K Meena said.
The amendment in the OGST Act aims at providing certain facilities to the taxpayers and tax authorities, he said.
The suggestions include empowering the state government to make provision for issuance of removal of difficulties order for another two years, and inserting a new section -- 168A -- to extend due dates for various compliances on the recommendation of the GST council during war, epidemic, flood, drought, fire, cyclone and natural calamities, he said.
The cabinet also decided to amend the Odisha Local Fund Audit Act, 1948, as difficulties were faced to physically serve surcharge notices and orders on delinquent officers in time, the finance secretary said.
It also approved a proposal by the Works Department for construction of a bridge over river Subarnarekha near Haldipada on National Highway-16 at a cost of over Rs 138.74 crore, Works Secretary Krishan Kumar said.
(PTI)
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The Cabinet meeting, which gave its nod to as many as 18 proposals, was chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Loan To GRIDCO
The Cabinet approved a proposal for providing Government Guarantee of Rs 2600 crore for the loans to be availed by GRIDCO during the Financial Year 2020-21.
Such guarantee will enable GRIDCO to get about 2 per cent interest concession from the banks. This will also reduce the financial cost of GRIDCO and in turn, the retail tariff for industries, MSMEs and general consumers shall be lower, an official release read.
The State cabinet approved enactment of Odisha Laboratory Assistants in Government Engineering Schools /Polytechnics (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2020 regulating the method of recruitment and conditions of service of the personnel inducted to Odisha Laboratory Assistants' Service in Government Engineering Schools and Polytechnics under administrative control of Director of Technical Education and Training, Odisha.
Rice & Paddy Procurement (Kharif Marketing Season)
The Food and Procurement Policy for Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 has also got approval to regulate all aspects of paddy and rice procurement. The State has fixed a tentative target of 48 lakh metric tonne in terms of rice. For Kharif, the tentative target for procurement of paddy is 54 lakh metric tonne and for Rabi 17 lakh metric tonne.
There is no bar for procurement of any higher quantum if more paddy comes to mandis from registered farmers, the release read.
Promotion Of Government Servants
The council of ministers have proposed amendment of the Odisha Civil Services (Criteria for promotion) Rules, 1992, to ensure timely promotion of government servants.
"...selection for the year shall be held during the month of November taking into account the residency period as prescribed under relevant Recruitment Rules and the Select list shall be prepared during the month of December of the preceding year. The Performance Appraisal Reports (PARs), the vigilance reports, papers relating to departmental action and other confidential reports shall be forwarded online to avoid delay. Such reports shall not be required in respect of Group-'D' employees," it added.
Appointments To OPSC
The Cabinet also approved appointment of Retired IAS officer Bibhuti Bhusan Pattanaik and Prof. (Dr.) Sudhanshu Sekhar Rath as members in Odisha Public Service Commission.
Approval To Medical & Health Services Rules
To address the increasing number of cases in government hospitals, the State Cabinet has approved the proposed Odisha Medical & Health Services (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Amendment Rules, 2020 by amending the existing rule to the effect that:
(i) if, a candidate has not passed Middle School Examination in Odia as a language subject, shall be allowed to pass the examination conducted by Board of Secondary Education, Odisha within four years of joining in the service
(ii) If, a candidate outside the State of Odisha has not registered his name under the Odisha Council of Medical Registration established under section 3 of the Odisha Medical Registration Act, 1961, he shall get himself registered as per the provisions of the said Act before issue of the appointment order.
Repeal Of 214 Appropriation Acts
The State Law Commission of Odisha have recommended to repeal 214 Appropriation Acts on the ground that these laws have become either irrelevant or inoperative and thus, this exercise would serve the purpose of cleansing the Statue Book while also contributing to 'Good Governance'.
Now, it has been decided to accept the recommendation of the State Law Commission of Odisha and take steps for enactment of the Odisha Appropriation Act (Repeal) Act, 2020 which will repeal 215 numbers of Appropriation Acts.
At present, the nursing posts are filled up and service conditions are followed in accordance with the rules of Odisha Nursing Service (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2019.
Besides, in order to comply with the guidelines stipulated by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and to comply with the norms of Medical Council of India, the nomenclature of the Staff Nurses/ Assistant Matron/ Matron/ Chief Matron has been changed to Nursing Officer/ Assistant Nursing Superintendent/ Deputy Nursing Superintendent/ Nursing Superintendent respectively.
In the present format, there is the provision of inducting the contractual Staff Nurses duly recruited by the Schemes/Societies into the general health care. But eligible schemes had not been defined properly.
Now it has been decided by the state cabinet to induct/ regularize those contractual Nursing Officers (Staff Nurses) who have been duly recruited by concerned Societies/Schemes for working in different fixed Health care Facilities only against the posts approved/ sanctioned by the Government in the Programme Implementation Plan (PIP)/Action Plan of concerned Society/Scheme.
As per a press release by the government, a period of 10 years will be counted from the date of regularization for the promotion of Nursing Officers.
The pattern of examination has been detailed in the amendment rule. There shall be a written test carrying 100 marks comprising of objective type (multiple choice) questions and the examination shall be of 2 hours duration.
Describing the examination patter, the release stated, “There will be negative marking for each wrong answer and for each wrong answer 0.25 marks will be deducted from the marks awarded for correct answers. 60% of the questions will be based on the subjects taught in the syllabus, 25 % of the questions will be based on practical skills, 10% of the questions will be on Arithmetic and 5% of the questions on English of HSC standard."
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)