Bhubaneswar: The state Cabinet has decided to replace Odisha Civil Services (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 2020, with the previous rules of 1990 for appointment on compassionate ground.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the Assembly that the proposal in this regard was approved by the Cabinet in its meeting held on Thursday.
This decision will enable the 1990 rules to be applicable to families of employees who died before the 2020 rules came into effect, providing employment under the 1990 rules.
The move aims to provide relief to numerous families and reduce pending cases in the High Court and the Supreme Court. It demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that families of deceased employees live with dignity.
As per Odisha Civil Services (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 1990, a member of the family of the government employee who dies while in service, may be appointed to any Group C or Group D posts. At the time of notifying such vacancies to the Employment Exchange or the examining authority, the employer shall clearly mention that the vacancy is proposed to be filled up under rehabilitation assistance scheme and so, sponsoring of candidates by Employment Exchange or the examining authority is not necessary.
However, the previous BJD government amended the OCS (RA) Rules in 2020 and set new rules for appointment under the Rehabilitation Assistance scheme.
Prior to 2020, the state government would appoint a family member in Group C or Group D based on a disaster certificate issued by the district administration, as per the Odisha Civil Service (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 1990. However, the 2020 rules introduced a marking system, affecting families of government employees who died between 1990 and 2020.