2L casual, contractual Odisha govt employees may lose jobs as part of austerity measures

Bhubaneswar: At a time when they were expecting a pay hike as per the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission, a report is making rounds that around 2 lakh casual and contractual Odisha government employees may not have a renewal after completion of their contract.
As part of its austerity measures, Odisha government has reportedly decided to lay off its all casual and contractual employees over the completion of their contract.
The move, which aims at coping up with the financial crunch due toCOVID-19, will adversely affect the 2 lakh employees and their families.
“After careful consideration, the Government has been pleased to decide that persons who are engaged on outsourcing basis, are to be paid their entitlement as per the terms and conditions of engagement till the contract period ends,” reported a leading national daily citing a memorandum issued by Finance department.
However, the government can re-engage the retired employees. “Retired government servants re-employed on pay minus pension basis are excluded from this stipulation (restriction),” the memorandum said.
These contractual workers have been working for last 10-15 years and getting Rs 8,880 to Rs 10,000 per month as a consolidated pay, it was reported.
The state government’s move came at a time when these employees were eyeing for a hike as per the recommendation of the Seventh Pay Commission.