The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to submit a progress report by May 21 detailing the work of a high-power committee formed to examine pension benefits for employees of aided educational institutions. The court warned that punitive action could be taken if lapses are found among committee members.
Court's Directive and Hearing
A division bench comprising Justices Krishna S Dixit and Chittaranjan Dash issued the directive on May 14 while hearing a writ appeal filed by the state government. The bench also ordered the disclosure of the names of committee members, which is headed by a retired chief secretary.
The case stems from a January 12, 2024 order by a single judge, which ruled that teaching and non-teaching staff of non-government aided educational institutions receiving grants under the grant-in-aid orders from 2004 onwards are entitled to pension and other retirement benefits.
Adjournment Plea Opposed
During the hearing, state counsel S B Mohanty sought adjournment until after the summer vacation. However, advocate Purushottam Chuli, representing the employees, strongly opposed this, reminding the court of its earlier stance that no further adjournments would be granted.
In a previous order on February 17, the bench had recorded the submission of advocate general Pitambar Acharya that the state had formed a high-power committee to address employee grievances and requested two months to complete the task. The court had granted the time, observing that the state appeared inclined to safeguard employee interests, but cautioned that no further adjournments would be allowed.
Court's Reluctant Grant of Time
On May 14, the bench stated it was “very reluctantly” granting time until May 21. “At the same time, the names of Committee Members should be disclosed to the Court, so that it can take some punitive action, if there is any lapse on them,” the bench said.
Background of the Dispute
The dispute involves teaching and non-teaching employees of non-government aided educational institutions, including colleges, high schools, senior basic schools, middle English schools, Sanskrit tolls, and junior basic schools. The employees had moved the High Court after their claims for pension benefits under the Odisha Aided Educational Institutions’ Employees’ Retirement Benefit Rules, 1981 were rejected.
The state government argued that only employees under the “Direct Payment System” are entitled to benefits under Rule 3. However, the single judge on January 12, 2024, directed the state to extend pension and other retirement benefits as per Rule 3 within three months. The state government subsequently filed a writ appeal against that order.
