Odisha Non-Gazetted Forest Employees Call Off Cease-Work Agitation

Bhubaneswar: The members of Odisha Non-gazetted Forest Service Association, who had launched a symbolic stir to press for a 7-point charter of demands including protection, called off the cease work agitation from Friday.

Association president Jagabandhu Patra said the agitation was suspended after talks with the state Forest Minister Pradip Kumar Amat and senior officials of the department on Thursday.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) has informed the agitating Association members about the steps taken by the state government to fulfill their 7-point charter of demands.

The state government has agreed to provide protection to forest officials under Section 197 of the CrPC. In addition, steps are being taken to fill up 1,570 posts in Forest department.

Armed police personnel have also been deployed at Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) for the protection of the Forest department staff. The government has announced the provision of guns for security during patrolling and the fulfillment of other demands of the union. The Forest Department workers resumed their duty on Friday.

The non-gazetted staff of the Forest department had launched the cease work agitation in support of protection to their members, especially after the killing of two forest guards by poachers in Similipal Sanctuary.

Meanwhile, the Forest Department has decided to stop the work of the Forest Protection Assistance in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district and employ permanent workers in their place.

Baripada Range Officer Prasant Kumar Joshi has issued an order vide letter No. 4860/T6-7-23 directing the recruitment of permanent workers in place of the Forest Protection Assistance in all the Range areas for the protection of forests. The letter stated that wages will be paid to the new employees through the master roll.