Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Dussehra, the state cabinet Monday raised the monthly remunerations of all contractual employees by 50 per cent.
Briefing media after the meeting, Law Minister Pratap Jena said contractual employees will now be called ‘Initial Appointees’ and their existing remuneration will be increased by 50 per cent from the first year of appointment till regularization of their services. Their appointments would be made permanent after six years, he said.
The employees will also receive medical reimbursement benefits like permanent employees. All contractual employees of Groups-B, C and D categories will benefit from the move, Jena said.
The cabinet decided to make necessary amendments to the (Contractual Appointment) Rules, 2013 for this purpose. The government will have to bear an additional Rs250 crore every year towards the enhanced remuneration, said Jena.
As per the decision, a Group-B contractual employee will now receive `25,300 per month from existing `16,880. Similarly, Group-C employees who get `8,750 and `10,000 per month on the first year of appointment will now draw `13,100 and `15,000 respectively.
Moreover, the monthly salary of contractual Group-D employees (first year of service) has been increased to `12,100 for those getting `8,070 now and `12,600 for those drawing `8,390. Keeping in view the rate of inflation, the government has decided to revise the remuneration of such employees, an official said.
Three tenders containing six mega drinking water projects worth `1,282.01 crore under Jal Jeevan Mission (JMM) were also approved by the cabinet, said Jena.
The projects would be implemented in Ganjam, Rayagada, Boudh and Kandhamal districts. All six projects are targeted for completion within a period of 24 months, he said.
Individual households in blocks like Rangeilunda, Ganjam, Khalikote, Kashipur, Rayagada, Harbhanga, Phiringia, Phulbani, Chakadapada, Khajuripada and K Nuagaon would get piped water supply through these projects.
Two rural piped water supply projects worth `325.75 crore have been approved for 86 GPs of Ganjam district, another two projects of `657.57 crore approved for 71 GPs in Boudh and Kandhamal districts.
Besides, two drinking water supply projects will be executed in 28 GPs of Rayagada district at a cost of Rs. 298.69 crore. The panel has given its approval for laying the annual report of the Lokayukta for 2020 in the state Assembly.
