In a significant move addressing the grievances of the education sector, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the formation of a high-level committee to review the demands of teaching and non-teaching staff across the state. The announcement was made on Wednesday in the state assembly, aiming to resolve long-standing issues related to pay and service benefits.
Committee Headed by Retired Bureaucrat
The newly formed committee will be led by retired IAS officer Ashok Kumar Tripathy, who brings substantial experience from his previous roles. Tripathy has served as the secretary for both the School & Mass Education and the Higher Education departments in Odisha. The panel has been given a clear mandate to submit its comprehensive report to the state government within six months.
In an official press release, the government highlighted the diverse landscape of educational institutions in Odisha. This includes public, aided, unaided, and private colleges, along with unaided schools and those receiving grants from the School & Mass Education and Higher Education departments. Employees from all these sectors have repeatedly petitioned the government with various demands.
Addressing Long-Pending Grievances
Teaching and non-teaching staff in schools, colleges, and universities have consistently raised several key issues. Their primary concerns revolve around salary hikes and improved service benefits. While the state government has addressed some of these demands in the past, a considerable number remain under active review, creating persistent unrest among the employee groups.
Ashok Kumar Tripathy, commenting on his new role, acknowledged the situation. He stated that he is aware of the several long-pending demands that teachers and other employees typically raise during assembly sessions. "I am aware of these demands and waiting for an official directive from the state govt to start reviewing them," Tripathy said, indicating his readiness to begin the assessment process.
Averting Planned Agitations
The government's announcement comes at a critical time, as it seeks to pre-empt potential disruptions. Earlier, various teacher associations had threatened to stage demonstrations during the ongoing winter session of the assembly. Specifically, primary teachers under the Prathamika Shikshak Mahasangha had announced plans to launch a mass agitation starting December 5.
Similarly, teachers affiliated with the Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Teachers Association had threatened to go on strike from December 8 over the non-fulfillment of their demands. The formation of this high-level review committee is seen as a direct response to these planned protests, aiming to engage in a structured dialogue and find a sustainable resolution.
The committee's work will now be closely watched by thousands of education sector employees across Odisha, who hope for a favorable and timely outcome to their protracted struggles.
