Odisha Non-Government Lecturers Launch Padayatra for Grant-in-Aid

Bhubaneswar: More than 3,000 non-government college lecturers and staff, appointed between 2008 and 2018, have begun a padayatra from Puri to Bhubaneswar demanding inclusion under the state’s grant-in-aid system.

The march commenced at Saradhabali in Puri after paying tribute to Lord Jagannath, symbolising their faith and determination.

Covering nearly 60 km, the protesters reached the Chief Minister’s residence in Bhubaneswar to press their long-pending demand.

Despite repeated appeals and a committee report submitted after the Chief Minister’s earlier intervention, the grant-in-aid policy remains unimplemented.

Association President Biswaranjan Das warned that if the government continues to delay, lecturers may resort to an indefinite fast unto death.

The association has cautioned that the state government will bear responsibility for any unrest or untoward incidents arising from the agitation.