Dead employees' kin attempt self-immolation outside minister's res

Bhubaneswar: Kin and family members of the employees, who died during service, under School and Mass Education department today staged agitation in front of the official residence of minister Devi Mishra in the morning today demanding regular job under rehabilitation scheme.

Some of them attempted self-immolation after pouring kerosene on themselves. Around 20 such protesters were taken into police custody.

The Orissa Civil Service (Rehabilitation Scheme) Rules, 1990, stipulate that family members of a government servant who dies while in service or retires after facing permanent incapacitation shall not face immediate distress condition.

The Mass Education department had decided to appoint 595 qualified candidates on regular basis and accordingly their applications were sent to State higher ups for approval in 2013. Later, notification was issued for recruitment of class III and class IV employees.

However, they alleged that they were given job on contractual basis. The family members of the dead employees protested against such move of the government and demanded regularisation of their job.

"Being a deserving candidate under Rehabilitation scheme of government, we have been running from pillar to post for our legitimate right for last 15 years. Our file moves to District Education Office (DEO) and the officials there give only assurance of posting. We touched the age of 45 now, but still the government has turned blind eyes to our demand", said Santosh Bal, a protester.