Odisha Cabinet Approves Hike In Govt’s Contribution Towards National Pension System

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Monday cleared a proposal to enhance the state government’s contribution towards the National Pension System (NPS) from 10% to 14%.

Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra said the hike will be effective retrospectively from April 1, 2019.  “This Cabinet decision will ensure parity between the central government and state government employees. Odisha government will contribute Rs 280 crore more towards the NPS every year. Additionally, the state government will deposit an arrear of Rs 772 crore to benefit around 2.08 lakh government employees,” he said.

Around 2.08 lakh employees will benefit from the decision.

Besides, employees, covered under NPS, can opt to receive a family pension in the event of in-service death under OCS Pension Rule, 1992.

These benefits have been extended to eligible employees of Aided Educational Institutions, Group-B contractual employees appointed vide Odisha Group ‘B’ posts (Contractual Appointment) Rules, 2013 and Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ contractual employees appointed vide Odisha Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts (contractual appointment) Rules, 2013.

The other proposals approved by the State Cabinet are as follows:

—Approval of the annual report of the Odisha Lokayukta for the year 2020 to be laid before the State Assembly.

— Framing of the Odisha Excise Service Group-A (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service)Rules, 2021 and the Odisha Excise Service Group-B (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service)Rules, 2021 in supersession of the existing rules.

— Framing of Odisha Civil Supplies Market Intelligence Service (Recruitment and Condition of Service) Rules, 2021 for smooth management and functioning of the Odisha Civil Supplies Market Intelligence Cadre.

— Amendment of the Odisha Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2016 to extend the timeline from five and half years to six years for the continuation of private dealer for smooth functioning of Public Distribution System (PDS).

—Amendment of the Odisha Group “C” and Group “D” posts (Contractual Appointment) Rules, 2013.

—Amendment of the Odisha Group-B posts (Contractual Appointment) Rules, 2013.

—Amendment to the Odisha Secretariat Stenographers’ and Personal Assistants’ (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1997.

—Proposal for making the Odisha District Police Ministerial Service (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) working under the District Police Offices Rules, 2021.

— To bring Police Ministerial Officers under the ambit of Odisha Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1962, to bring in uniformity in the pay structure of Ministerial Officers across the state.

—Proposal for amendment in Odisha Employees’ State Insurance Medical Service (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2014.

— Execution of two Rural Piped Water Supply projects each in Ganjam, Boudh, Kandhamal and Rayagada districts to provide safe drinking water out of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) funding.