--Even as time taken by Govt elapses



: The aggrieved contractual employees and the 662 Block Grant (new GIA) colleges employees are still waiting with fingers crossed as the time taken by the State Government to take a call on their demands has elapsed.

The former category of employees comprising about 40,000, spread over several Government departments, had held a dharna before the Assembly on September 11, demanding abolition of the contractual system of appointment. They demanded equal pay for equal work and the validation of their contract period for seniority and promotion. The Government had taken 15 days time to take a decision on their demands.

The latter, the college teachers, also demanded a hike in their pay alike their counterparts in the 488 category colleges. They said though the 662-category and 488-category lecturers were getting same salary after the implementation of the 7th pay scale from January this year, recently, the State Government had decided to hike the pay of the 488-category lecturers by increasing their DA to 196%, bringing a difference in the salary of both the categories of teachers by Rs 6,000. Though after being entitled to get 7th pay scale, these employees in the non-Government aided colleges were demanding service conditions, pension and other benefits, the recent pay disparity now has made them stray from their main demands. Besides, it created a fissure in their united fight to fulfill the demands. While the 488-category is satisfied with the State Government’s decision for a pay hike, the 662- category held a demonstration on September 18, demanding a similar hike in their salary. The Government had taken a week’s time.

However, though these disgruntled employees— their number could be over 1 lakh—are waiting for a favourable decision, the Government keeps maintaining silence even after the time it had taken has elapsed.

Contractual employees’ union president Bijay Malla said, “We are still hopeful that the Government would soon take a decision on our demands,” adding, “The Law and Finance Departments are stated to have given clearance to our demands. The Chief Secretary has assured us positively. Though the time the Government had taken has elapsed, still we hope the Government may give us a good news before the puja.”

All Odisha 662 Non-Government Lecturers and Employees Association general secretary Satap Uddin Ahemmed said, “Our demands are genuine. We have submitted memos to the authorities. We had a positive talk with the Government over our demands as well. But since the CM has gone to Bangalore for the investors’ meet, the process has got delayed. But we are hopeful that after the CM returns, a decision in our favour will come by September 30.”