Thousands of women hit streets in Odisha demanding release of salaries pending since April

Thousands of women across various organisations of the Odisha government’s Mission Shakti programme, including MBK, Bank Mitra, Krishi Mitra, and Prani Mitra on Monday gathered at the Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar to voice their grievances against alleged non-payment of salaries.

The protests coincided with the start of the Legislative Assembly session today. The agitators took out a mass rally to draw attention to their unresolved issues including the demand for the release of alleged pending wages and salaries for the past nine months.

The protesting women levied allegations against their respective departments for withholding their salaries for the past nine months.

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“We have not been paid our dues since April. Under such circumstances, we have no clarity on how to run our families,” lamented a woman.

Notably, among the six cadres of SHGs, women under the MBK, Bank Mitra, and Jeevika Sahayika schemes were assured of a salary increment from Rs 6750 to Rs 10750 per month. Meanwhile, those under Krishi Mitra and Prani Mitra were promised Rs 6,250 instead of Rs 3,750 per month in March this year.

However, the agitators stated that they have not been paid their dues of three months by the previous BJD government and six months by the current Mohan Majhi-led government.

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They further alleged that the pending salaries have not been released despite assurances from Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida.

“We have held talks with our department heads but they are not facilitating the release of our salaries. As such, we hope that the Deputy CM takes note of our grievances this time,” said another member of the rally.