Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a slew of initiatives in education, government recruitment, agriculture and infrastructure on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day celebrations on Saturday.
Addressing the people after hoisting the National Flag at the state-level celebrations in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said the state government would remove the existing six-attempt limit for the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) examination.
The OCS aspirants will now be able to appear for the examination until they reach the prescribed upper age limit, he said.
At the same time, the Chie Minister warned that corruption and irregularities in examination process would be treated as an “unpardonable offence”, with strict action against those found involved.
In a significant announcement for the education sector, CM Majhi said the government would extend free textbooks to students of Classes IX and X, expanding the existing benefit available only up to Class VIII. “Earlier, free textbooks were provided in schools up to class VIII. Today, on this auspicious occasion, I am announcing that free textbooks will also be provided to Class IX and X students,” he said.
He also highlighted the government’s initiative to provide completely free education from KG to PG, describing it as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country.
He said the state will establish 2,200 Godabarish Mishra Model Primary Schools, while 26,000 teachers have already been recruited and the process for another 45,000 teacher appointments has begun.
The government will also establish 18 new government colleges in peripheral districts and four new universities.
To strengthen medical education, the state is taking steps to establish medical colleges in Jajpur, Talcher and Kandhamal, along with four additional medical colleges.
Elaborating on employment-related reforms, Majhi said candidates appearing for the OCS examination would no longer be restricted to six attempts and would be allowed to appear until they reach the upper age limit.
The government has also raised the maximum age for government recruitment from 32 to 42 years. He said the relaxation would provide greater opportunities to aspirants who have been unable to secure government jobs within the earlier age limit.
This apart, the government is taking steps to relax the restrictions on compassionate appointments.
Addressing concerns among farmers regarding the procurement system, Majhi clarified that AgriStack registration has no connection with P-PAS registration for paddy procurement.
