Odisha Cabinet approves 11 proposals; Unified Pension Scheme for govt employees and more

The Odisha Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Friday approved several key proposals of various departments. Informing about the Cabinet decisions, CM Mohan Majhi on Saturday said that 11 proposals have been approved including implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for the government employees in the state.

While taking to reporters, CM Mohan Majhi informed that the Odisha government has declared its intention to implement the Unified Pension System for state employees. Members currently under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) will be given the choice to opt the UPS. 

According to the state cabinet's decision, a guaranteed monthly pension of Rs 10,000 will be provided after a minimum service period of 10 years. Employees, who have served for 25 years, will receive 50% of their average basic pay over the last 12 months as a pension.

Key Features and Benefits

The new system includes a family pension that offers 60% of the employee's pension to the family in the unfortunate event of the employee’s demise. A base pension will be annually adjusted based on the All India Consumer Price Index to maintain its value against inflation. Additionally, upon retirement, employees will receive a cumulative payment equating to one-tenth of their monthly salary for every six months of service, on top of the gratuity already awarded. This sum is intended to leave pension amounts unaffected. Employees partaking in the current NPS can either switch to the new UPS or remain in their existing scheme, with assurances of family pension benefits posthumously under the UPS.

Other Odisha Cabinet Decisions

Amendment to the Odisha Public Service Commission (Conditions of Service) Regulations, 1952

If a person is appointed as Chairman or Member of OPSC and his last pay drawn is more than the pay fixed i.e Rs. 2,25,000 per month and Rs.1,82,000 per month for Chairman and Member of OPSC respectively, he/she shall be entitled to draw the last pay drawn by him while he was in Government service minus the gross amount of pension including any portion of such pension which might have been commuted.

Construction of Block Level Stadium in the State

The Odisha State Cabinet has approved a new project for "Construction of Block Level Stadium” in all 314 blocks of the State. The project aims to address critical gaps in rural sports infrastructure, particularly at the block level, where facilities remain underdeveloped.

Each block level stadium will be developed on 12 to 15 acres of land and will have the components like football/ cricket field, clay athletic track with throw and jump area, Volleyball/ Kho Kho/ Kabaddi Court, Indoor Hall (Badminton, Table Tennis etc.), Common facility Centre etc. 

The Cabinet has approved an outlay of Rs. 4124 Cr over a period of 5 years for Construction of Block level Stadium in a phased manner.

Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Project (DRIP-III)

The State Cabinet has also approved a proposal to take up the three works with an estimated cost of Rs 1066.38 crore over a period of 6 years i.e. from FY 2025-26 to 2030-31 under Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Project-III with the assistance of World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) funded under Externally Aided Project.