Odisha Cabinet Okays New Grant-In-Aid Policy For Aided Colleges

Bhubaneswar: The State Cabinet on Saturday cleared 14 proposals at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat here on Saturday.

Briefing mediapersons after the meeting, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said the state cabinet approved a proposal of the Higher Education Department for introduction of Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Order, 2017, to extend full grant-in-aid in favour of the teaching and non-teaching employees and aided colleges. The present extension of grant-in-aid will include initial pay and grade pay. About 15738 employees of 1599 non-government aided colleges, receiving block grant under GIA Order, 2008 and 2009, will get the GIA benefit with effect from January 1, 2018.

Among others, the cabinet approved a proposal on the implementation of four rural piped water supply projects at an estimated cost of Rs 423.22 crore to provide safe drinking water in Kendrapara, Jharsuguda and Angul districts.

Besides, it also approved a proposal on the tender for construction of additional spillway with hydro-mechanical works on Left Gandhi Hillock at Hirakud Dam.

He said the Orissa High Court had recommended reduction of the induction training period of civil judges on probation from two to one year. Accordingly, it was decided to accept the recommendation and make necessary amendments to Rule 30 of the OSJS and that of OJS.

He said the cabinet also approved restructuring the cadres of the geological survey and exploration wing, mineral administration wing and chemical analysis wing to improve the performance of the Steel and Mines Department.