Bhubaneswar, Mar 7 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced a hike in the remuneration of Asha workers and outsourcing employees in the state.
Chief Minister Office (CMO) sources said the monthly remuneration of the Asha workers has been increased from Rs.4,500 per month of Rs.7,000.The state government also increased the retirement benefit of the Asha workers from the existing Rs.50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
Official sources said the decision of the government will benefit 49,522 Asha workers in the state and the government will incur an additional expenditure of Rs.208 crore per annum.
Incidentally thousands of Asha workers are sitting on an indefinite dharna before the State Assembly demanding among other things a hike in their monthly remuneration and pension benefit.
On Thursday last, the Odisha government had announced a hike in the monthly remuneration of Anganwadi workers, mini Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi assistants.
In another decision, the Chief Minister also announced a 25 percent hike on the remuneration of outsourcing employees who were appointed by various Service Provider Agencies to work in various departments of the Odisha government.
CMO sources said experienced outsourcing workers having more than five years of experience will be paid Rs.1000 extra per month.
The state government has also constituted the State Outsourcing Employees Ombudsman to sort out and resolve various issues of the outsourcing employees with the Service Provider Agencies.
In each department, a Nodal officer will be appointed to look into the grievances of the outsourcing employees.
Official sources said all the departments will have a supplementary agreement with the Service Provider Agencies to streamline the steps taken by the government.
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