Imagine having 15 extra days off work every year, just because you work in a non-government-aided educational institution! Well, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made this dream a reality on Sunday. Not just that, women working in these institutions can now enjoy a generous 180 days of paid maternity leave for up to two live births.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) shared that this decision is a game-changer for about 33,420 employees, including both teachers and staff. These lucky individuals are spread across 2,560 new aided high schools, 940 upper primary schools, 39 Sanskrit tols, and 138 madrasas all across our state.
But wait, there’s more good news! The CMO also mentioned that these benefits aren’t just limited to high school and primary school staff. Employees in higher educational institutions under the block grant scheme will also reap these rewards. On top of that, after 16 years of dedicated service, aided teachers will finally receive a higher pay scale.
That’s not all the Chief Minister had up his sleeve. He also decided to boost the support for block grant employees in tough times. In the unfortunate event of death or permanent disability during service, the compensation amounts have been significantly increased.
Now, in the case of in-service death, the amount has shot up from Rs 2 lakh to a substantial Rs 5 lakh. Similarly, for those facing disability, the ex-gratia amount has been raised to Rs 3.50 lakh from the previous Rs 1.50 lakh.
This move by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is not just a policy change; it’s a sign of recognizing the hard work and dedication of our educational staff. It’s a step towards a happier, healthier, and more supported workforce in our educational institutions.
