Odisha govt grants HRA, hikes other allowances of firefighters

The Odisha government granted house rent allowance (HRA) and hiked other allowances for Odisha Fire Services Department personnel, on Tuesday.

In a tweet, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) informed that the house rent allowance of Fire Services personnel has been accorded for the welfare of the fire fighters who provide prompt services to the people in difficult situations.

Apart from this, the Odisha government has also increased the diet allowance to Rs 1,400 from existing Rs 900. Similarly, the motorcycle allowance of firefighters has been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 1,050, mobilility allowance to Rs 300 from Rs 150, and risk allowance to Rs 1,000 from existing Rs 400. The hike will benefit around 6,000 fire services personnel.

PK Padhi, a fire services personnel said, "We welcome the Odisha government's decision as we have been demanding for a revision in allowance since long. The personnel will get some benefits due to the increase in the allowances including diet, motorcycle, and other allowances."

According to Padhi, the demands of the fire services personnel were ignored by the previous government.
"The decision of the current government is certainly a welcome step as the long standing demand of the personnel has now been fulfilled," Padhi added.