Odisha govt reinstates 1990 Odisha Civil Services rules for compassionate appointments

The BJP-led Odisha government has opted to revert to the Odisha Civil Services (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 1990, for making compassionate appointments, revealed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during an Assembly session.

This decision reverses the 2020 guidelines established under the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government led by Naveen Patnaik. The proposal gained approval in the Cabinet meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, on Thursday.

Restoration of Previous Guidelines

The decision means that all applications submitted for compassionate appointments that predate the implementation of the 2020 rules will now be assessed according to the 1990 regulations. This policy shift ensures that the families of government employees who died before the enactment of the 2020 rules can secure government positions.

Specifics of the 1990 and 2020 Rules

Under the 1990 rules, a family member of a deceased government employee may be offered a position in either Group C or Group D without the need for customary procedures, such as approval from Employment Exchanges or examination bodies.

In contrast, the 2020 amendment permitted one eligible family member to be appointed directly to a Group-D level post without undergoing the formal recruitment process. This policy primarily prioritised the deceased employee's spouse, with an allowance for nominating an alternate family member should the spouse be deemed medically unfit by an authorised medical board.

This reinstatement is seen as a move to address the requirements of families facing hardships due to the loss of a government employee, aligning assistance measures with previously established norms.