The Odisha government abolished contractual recruitment system in the system with effect from today, announced Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday.
Making the announcement, the CM said, "All contractual employees will be regularized and a notification to this effect will be brought out Monday."
"Today, I am delighted to announce that the State Cabinet has decided to abolish the contractual system of recruitment permanently. Even today, there are no regular recruitments in many states and they are still continuing with the contractual recruitment system. But in Odisha, the era of contractual recruitment has come to an end," Patnaik said.
"I was waiting for this moment. The notification will come out tomorrow. More than 57,000 employees will be benefited. The government will spend approximately Rs1300 crore more per annum. The decision has brought in early Diwali for their family members," the CM added.
Soon after the announcement, celebrations erupted among the members of Odisha contractual employees association who welcomed the decision the State government. Hundreds of contractual employees celebrated the decision by bursting crackers in front of the association office in Bhubaneswar.
The association members described their protest a success and said despite delay the government fulfilled their demands.
“Two days back, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held discussion with us and assured to abolish the contractual system. As tomorrow is his birth, the CM has given us a big gift," said a contractual employee.
“We are extremely happy today. We thank Bijay Bhai (Bijay Malla, president of contractual employees association) and Naveen Patnaik. Today is a big day for all of us," said another contractual employee.
"Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced such a good news on the occasion of his birthday. We are very happy for that. You can see how we are celebrating by dancing, bursting crackers and playing music. Our happiness knew no bounds," said a third employee.
"Till now, contractual and regular employees are being discriminated in the society. As Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has abolished the contractual system, we are delighted. Our hard work for years has finally paid off," added another employee.