The fate of about 70,000 contractual data entry operators (DEOs) working in various departments of the Odisha government has plunged into further uncertainty with the State government mulling over moving the Orissa High Court challenging their regularisation.
The State government is not in favour of regularising the service of the DEOs who have been working for many years and preparing to file a writ petition against an order passed by the HC to regularise their service.
In 2021, the Orissa High Court had allowed a batch of petitions filed by over 200 contractual data entry operators (DEOs), engaged on an outsourcing basis, seeking direction for regularisation of their services.
On March 14 this year, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary in the matter of engagement of Data Entry Operator on a contractual basis.
“After careful consideration, the Government have been pleased to decide that henceforth no Data Entry Operators shall be engaged on a contractual/ outsourced basis in any Department of Government/ Heads of Departments and Subordinate offices,” a letter undersigned by the additional secretary of Home department read.
“You are, therefore, requested not to engage any Data Entry Operator on a contractual/ outsourced basis in any Department of Government/ Heads of Department and Subordinate Office and also to adhere to the decision taken in the above meeting in letter and spirit. It is further, requested that suitable instructions may be communicated to all subordinate offices in light of the said letter,” the letter written to Additional Chief Secretary to Government/ Principal Secretary to Government/ Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government/ Secretary to Government, All Departments added.