Teachers oppose Odisha govt's one-time retirement benefit move

The Odisha Secondary School Teachers’ Association (OSSTA) has strongly opposed the Odisha Cabinet's decision to give Rs 6 lakh to each teacher and Rs 4 lakh to each non-teaching staff of newly-aided High Schools and newly aided Sanskrit Tolls as a one-time retirement benefit.

As per reports, among 17 proposals, the Cabinet approved a proposal of the School and Mass Education Department on Saturday to pay a one-time lump sum amount of Rs 6 lakh to each teacher and Rs 4 lakh to each non-teaching staff of newly-aided high schools and newly aided Sanskrit Tolls.

Besides, Rs 5 lakh will be provided to each teacher of newly-aided UP (ME) Schools and newly-aided Madrasas on superannuation after the age of 60. 

Significantly, the staff who have already retired will also avail of such benefits. 

Strongly opposing the Cabinet approval, OSSTA launched an attack on the government, saying that such a decision is reflective of the government’s ‘handicapped and twisted’ mindset. 

The teacher’s body demanded that as per the Orissa High Court's 1981 rules, pension should be given to teachers. 

The OSSTA warned that it would launch protest on Mach 11 and 12 by organizing a massive rally.

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Akshaya Kumar Mishra, president of OSSTA said, “We outright reject the one-time lump sum amount of Rs 6 lakh to each teacher and Rs 4 lakh to each non-teaching employee on superannuation. We strongly condemn and oppose such an abominable system.”

He added that a massive rally will be held on March 11 and 12 demanding full-grant to eligible schools and at that time we will raise this issue as well.