Odisha Govt warns of tough action against protesting secretariat staff

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to take strict action against the State Secretariat staff, who have been on agitation since February 13, paralysing all official works.

In a letter sent to all Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Commissioner-cum-Secretaries, Additional Secretary to Government Dr Nivedita Prusty, wrote: “I am directed to say that Odisha Secretariat Services (OSS) Cadre officers are on strike from 13.02.2024. Due to their unauthorised absence, inconveniences and disruptions are being experienced in doing regular official work.”

As per the orders, officers who are not coming to office for duty shall be treated as unauthorised absence and this period will be treated as without pay and discontinuance in service. In addition to this, a proposal will be sent to the Home Department for departmental proceedings against them.

The newly recruited ASOs who have submitted their joining report but not attending duties will be sent to the Home Department for termination from Government service.

The Secretaries have also been asked to send details of the new ASOs, who have not yet joined, to the Home Department for further action.

The Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Commissioner-cum-Secretaries have been told to take the above steps immediately under intimation to the Home Department.