Odisha Govt Approves 15 Key Recommendations of Ashok Tripathy Panel, Bringing Relief to Teachers
Bhubaneswar: In a major decision aimed at addressing the long-standing demands of teachers and educational staff, the Odisha government has approved 15 key recommendations of the Ashok Tripathy Committee.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The approval is expected to benefit thousands of teaching and non-teaching employees across the state by improving service conditions, salary structures, promotion opportunities, and institutional support.
Among the most significant announcements, 194 high schools that were excluded from the 2013 block grant scheme will now be brought under the grant-in-aid system.
The government has also increased the monthly honorarium of part-time art, music, and physical education teachers from ₹10,000 to ₹16,000.
The state government has further decided to release pending arrears of Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) and Physical Education Teachers (PETs) who completed six years of service and were regularised in 2022.
Regular promotion opportunities will also be provided to primary school teachers, while Sikshya Sahayaks appointed between 2016 and 2018 will be regularised.
In another important move, the government will appoint regular teachers in Prathama and Madhyama Sanskrit Tols and include classical teachers working in government schools in the TGT eligibility list.
Vocational instructors will receive salaries in line with regular pay structures, while Odisha Junior Teachers (Schematic) will be given opportunities to enhance their academic qualifications.
The reforms package also includes measures for Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas (OAVs).
The government has promised timely salary payments, completion of pending residential hostels, admission opportunities for children of OAV employees, pay protection for OAV TGTs, and the establishment of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics laboratories in schools.
Regarding the demand for pension benefits for block grant employees, the government stated that the matter is currently pending before the Orissa High Court and further decisions will be taken after the court’s verdict.
The latest decisions are being seen as a major step towards strengthening the education sector and improving the welfare of teachers across Odisha.
