Bhubaneswar: Odisha government employees were rejoicing after the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations early this month and harboured high hopes after they were promised revised pay prior to Dussehra. However, the Dussehra gift never arrived for over 3 lakh employees and pensioners as the Odisha government failed to disburse the revised salary on time.
While 4.5 lakh State government employees and pensioners got their revised pay, as many as 3.5 lakh employees and pensioners have not received the benefits in their September salary before the Puja.
Earlier, Finance Minister Shashi Bhusan Behera had said that all the government employees and pensioners would get the benefits under the 7th Pay Commission before the Puja vacation starting September 26.
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“We are totally disappointed. We had expectations that we would get the revised pay, which could have helped us a lot especially during the festivities,” lamented a pensioner, Abhiram Mohanty.
“Had I got the revised pay, I would have bought a gift for my grandson. But I am empty handed now,” said another pensioner, Bhagbat Prasad Rath.
Meanwhile, the finance minister said the government is aware of the matter and is taking all required measures. “All the employees and pensioners who haven’t got the revised salary will get it soon, he said.
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