Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officers to work with a sense of commitment, diligence and perseverance to ensure success of Government schemes.
Addressing a general body meeting of the OAS Association here on Saturday, Patnaik said, “The State Administrative Service is the most visible and ubiquitous service of the State Government. Starting from the grassroots level to the higher level management at the State headquarters, you are everywhere in the management of State Administration.”
He said the State is steadily passing through a socioeconomic transformation, where the expectations of the people are also increasing. Therefore, the Government and the administration must stand up to the new challenges and fulfil the aspirations of people.
He said that with the success of programmes such as one-rupee rice, pension for indigent people, insurance schemes, schemes for women and children, the State Government is inspired to go some extra miles with new visions like house for all under the Biju Pucca Ghar and other schemes.
Referring to the demands of the OAS Association, the Chief Minister said his Government is aware about those. During the last financial year, the OAS cadre has been restructured and 130 posts have been upgraded in the rank of senior branch of OAS cadre, he said, adding that the total cadre strength of OAS senior branch and above has been increased from 432 to 562.
Adequate steps have been taken by the Government to defend different cases pending in the Administrative Tribunal, High Court and Supreme Court for conduct of Odisha Civil Services Examinations regularly, he said.
To raise the career developments and skills of the OAS officers, various training programmes have been organised in and outside the country in reputed organisations, he said.
Finance Minister Pradeep Kumar Amat and Chief Secretary GC Pati also spoke on the occasion and urged the officers to show leadership in carrying out development programmes.