Covid-19: Odisha Govt On Remuneration Of Contractual Employees During Lockdown

Bhubaneswar: Amid the media reports on Odisha government letting go contractual employees after their contract term ends, the State Finance department has clarified that it was not about the disengagement of the employees.

For the smooth functioning of State government departments during the Covid-19 lockdown period, several persons were engaged in different departments through direct contract or outsourcing.

Besides, retired employees were also engaged during the period to successfully continue the fight against Covid-19.

"After careful consideration, the government has been pleased to decide that persons who are engaged on outsourcing basis, are to be paid their entitlement as per the terms and conditions of engagement till the contract period ends,” reported a leading national daily had reported citing a memorandum issued by the State Finance department.

As per the memorandum of State Finance Department:

• Persons, who are engaged on an outsourcing basis, are to be paid their entitlement as per the terms and conditions of engagement till the contract period ends. If the contract period ends within the lockdown period, then the entitlements to be paid till the end of the contract period.
• Persons, who are engaged directly by the office but not through outsourcing agencies may be paid as per the existing terms but automatic renewal should not be done. Further engagement, if required, should be only after the lockdown is lifted.
• In the case of retired Government employees of different grades, as they are in receipt of pension, in general, there shall be no payment of remuneration if they have not worked during the lockdown. Further, any fresh engagement should only be done following due procedure after the lockdown is lifted Retired Government servants re-employed on pay minus pension basis are excluded from the above stipulation.