Krishi Vigyan Kendras Under OUAT In Odisha Neglected, Say Scientists

Bhubaneswar: Scientists and employees of 31 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) under the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) gathered at the university premises on Tuesday to draw attention to their job related problems.
More than 300 employees had to wait for a discussion with the university authorities throughout the day.

They have alleged that though the KVKs have enough funds for the development of agriculture and farmers of Odisha, the employees and the scientists, working there have been neglected by the administration. Their demands include career advancement, Revised Assured Career Progression Scheme (RACP), Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACP) and inclusion in the National Pension Scheme (NPS).

They also alleged that though the state government is interested in regularizing the jobs of KVK employees, the university has not yet sent any proposal to the government regarding this.
“Though we are receiving salary as per the regular scale, DA, house rent and annual increment like a permanent job holder, our jobs are yet to be regularized. KVK scientists’ jobs in other states are regular. OUAT is not giving any proposal regarding this to the state government,” said senior scientist and head of KVK, Puri, Dr Sanjaya Kumar Mohanty.

Odisha has 33 KVKs, whereas there are more the 700 KVKs throughout the country. Among the 33 KVKs in Odisha, 31 centres come under OUAT, one under NRRI and another under CIFA.
The KVKs are agricultural extension centres and provide farm support to the agricultural sector like providing technology dissemination to farmers, training, awareness etc. They also organise programmes like Krishi Mela.