Thursday 25 July 2019

Welcome : Newly recruited 500 ASOs

After long waiting, Secretariat will have 500 newly recruited ASOs today. Induction function is scheduled on 26.07.2019 at Rabindra Mandap. The program is to start from 8am upto 2pm. Honble Chief Minister has given his kind consent to grace the occasion at 11.45am.
So it's expected that after getting appointmentent letter, some may join in the afternoon. 
So all are welcome.....

Birthday Celebration of Lagnajeeta Mohanty, ASO

25.07.2019
****
Lagnajeeta Mohanty, ASO
Works Department





Wednesday 24 July 2019

e-File : Income Tax Return by 31st August

CBDT extends the due date for filing Income Tax Returns from 31st July 2019 to 31st August 2019. 

Today Budget discussion on demands for grant w.r.t. Works Department

 24.07.2019
Voting on demands for grants
The budget estimate for the year 2019-20
Expenditure relating to the Works Department

Promotion of 28 Desk Officers to Under Secretary on regular basis

Tuesday 23 July 2019

Long waiting of Odisha Government employees for revised HRA and DA Arrears

Although State Government implemented 7th Pay Commission w.e.f 01.01.2016, but it's Employees are getting HRA as per 6th pay (i.e.5% & 20%). As per 7th Pay Commission, the HRA is fixed as 8%-16%- 24% for X,  Y & Z category cities respectively. Most of the  employees having headquarters in Bhubaneswar availed Govt quarters. So it may not affect them but those are staying in rented rooms in different parts of the state due to shortage of suitable quarters, they need this revised HRA as they have to pay much more rent as compared to the HRA given to them. It's a good news that Govt have changed the norms for sanction of HRA to the employees in Urban Area vide finance department memorandum No.8741 Dr.31.03.2017 extending 8km radius area restriction upto limits of concerned Urban Local Body. Besides 60% of arrears is also pending. 

Restriction on visit to Higher Education Department/ Directorate

Secretary, Works may change

Monday 22 July 2019

Sunday 21 July 2019

Donation of Rs.3.41 Cr by UCO Bank to CM Relief Fund

All the UCO Bank employees in India and abroad  donated one day salary for the people affected by cyclone 'FANI'. 
Mr A.K.Goel, MD and CEO, UCO Bank handed over the Cheque to Hon'ble Chief MInister. 
Sri Lalatendu Behera, AGM, Secretariat Campus Branch was also present.

Immediate requirements just after joining..

The OSS cadre eagerly waiting for joining of 500 ASOs with much more expectations towards reformation of this cadre as well as Secretariat working culture. 
In previous post, I have given detail information on documents to be submitted during induction function and joining. Now here some requirements needed just after joining service.

Personal Documents:
1.Bank Pass Book
It's a need in the very beginning for your salary. You may have some accounts now. But I can suggest to open a fresh account in Secretariat Campus. There are two Banks i.e. UCO Bank and SBI. So you can bring your personal documents alongwith photo for instant opening of account at the induction function. Otherwise, in Secretariat campus you can do the same.
2.PAN Card
I think, most of the ASOs have PAN card. It's also another important document for income tax related issues.
3.PRAN Number
It's a New Pension System Account Number. The employees joining into govt service after 2005 are bound to enroll under this system. Minimum 10% of basic salary will be deposited in this account along with same amount contributed by the employer. But this account only can be opened after joining in service.

Saturday 20 July 2019

Sarojini Behera (new ASO) to produce caste certificate by 25th July

Documents to be furnished at the time of joining as ASO in Secretariat

Date of induction function of newly recruited ASOs has been  declared. Its 26th July, 2019 at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar.
Some candidates (not in any job), may join their concerned department on the same day afternoon. 

Documents to be furnished at Induction Function
1. Photo Identity Card (AADHAAR/EPIC/PAN/DL)in original alongwith photocopy
2. Four passport size photographs 
A registration slip will be provided on submitting the ID Proof and photographs to enter into Rabindra Mandap. Honble Chief Minister will present appointment letter to few candidates on the top of the merit list. Others will receive from the registration counter.

Documents to be furnished during joining
1.Home Department order of appointment received at Rabindra Mandap
2.Original certificates supporting Educational Qualifications.
3.Caste Certificate ( ST/SC/SEBC)
4.Physical Handicapped Certificate ( as applicable)
5.Two self attested (backside) passport size photographs
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6.Medical Fitness Certificate (availed during 22-29 June)
7.Two Character Certificates from two different Gazetted Officers
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Self Declaration/Attestation
8.Joining letter of self
9.A declaration to the effect that no criminal antecedent/case is pending against him/her
10. Oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India
11. Declaration of non-contact of plural Marriage
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For candidates already in job
12.Relieve Order from authority of last job
13.NOC from authority to appear ASO Examination (this will help you to continue your service)

N.B. Candidates have to bring documents from Sl.1 to 7 compulsory. You can download forms of Sl.8 to 11 below or the same can be available in the establishment section of concerned Departments while joining. 

Download forms for Sl.7,8,9,10,11

Thursday 18 July 2019

Workshop of 500 ASOs likely on 26th July

After waiting for a month, selected 500 ASOs may have the good news about their appointment letter in a workshop at Rabindra Mandap on 26th July. Although proper information has not been received, everyone should be prepare themselves to join on that day onwards.

A special message will be forwarded to every candidate's email. In reply, a confirmation message should be solicited by the candidate about their attendance on that day. 
Sample of previous workshop message.. 
It's not mandatory to attend that workshop. But as appointment letter will be issued on that day, one can join in service with required documents. 
So be ready with documents. 
Check personal email account and notice of home department website for updates. 

Posting of promoted 119 Under Secretaries

Two days Special CL to vote : 96 - Patkura Assembly Election

Promotion of 25 Desk Officers to the Rank of Under Secretary

Secretariat needs more ASOs

Even after appointment of 139+810 ASOs for the State Secretariat by the State Government in 2016, over 700 posts are still lying vacant in various departments.  Many ASOs left this job to join higher salary jobs. The shortage of the officers slows down the speed of development process in the State.
In addition, 237 ASO posts got abolished after Cadre restructuring in 2019. This step may have brought happiness among seniors of OSS Cadre as they have availed promotion last month. But it's direct effect is being realized upon present ASOs. 
After promotion of Desk Officers, maximum sections are being managed by one or two ASOs and SOs. In other hand there is no sufficient chambers for these promoted Under Secretaries for which they are sitting in their previous sections. 
By the way, this problem will be solved somehow after joining of new 500 ASOs recruited this year. But their appointment process is being delayed even after completion of their Medical Fitness Test during 22-29 June. 

If we consider the sanctioned strength of ASOs, it is now 1510. Out of this, presently there are around 900 ASOs working at the State Secretariat. Recently, 500 ASOs have been recommended  for various departments. However, the question has been raised whether the candidates, who are already working on high salary in private or government sectors, will join the new job as the ASO or not. 
While 80-90 ASOs are required for a major department, only 8-20 ASOs are working at a department at present condition. Amid various schemes launched by both Centre and State Government, the shortage of ASOs has become a major challenge for the Administrative system.

The Government in 1996 had notified for filling up of the posts through the OPSC. Fifteen years after the notification, the OPSC in 2011 had published an advertisement for filling 811 ASO posts in the State Secretariat and for 139 posts in 2015-16 through special drive. And now 500 posts in 2018-19.

On the other hand, several cases have been filed in the Courts including SAT, High Court and Supreme Court against appointment of ASOs since 2010.

In recent recruitment for 500  posts, OPSC recommend 13 PwD candidates whereas vacancy was 20. So the merit list may be changed in future as like in 2012-13 recruitment. 
If the petitioners win the case, the recently appointed ASOs will be in trouble, feel legal experts. In this connection, the candidates have started consulting their lawyers about joining of service.
Government may issue appointment order in the end of this month for smooth functioning of Government. 

Wednesday 17 July 2019

Call for Explanation from ASO

Many times its seen that officers in the upper hierarchy shows dominance over OSS Cadre officers both in work and attitude. Since introduction  of this Cadre, OSS officers are trying to work with dignity and always trying to place them before society as a Cadre of choice. The traditional attitude of Secretariat employees has been changed a lot after joining of new ASOs in 2016. The system of keeping spectacles on table while absent in seat is almost vanished. Processing of files and arriving office in due time are the main aspects of new ASOs. And for this attitude, whole OSS Cadre (including SO, DO, US, DS etc) is now an example for other cadres. If we consider pay structure, this Cadre has been ignored a lot. Still then working atmosphere of Secretariat has been much more improved. 

Almost 99% Under Secretary posts are occupied by OSS Cadre. But from the rank of Deputy Secretary onwards, OAS officers are there in major percentage. 
Some OAS Officers are not ready to accept this OSS Cadre in posts from Under Secretary and above. For this, many times relation between these two Cadres not going well. 
As an example, recently an explanation has been called for from one of the ASO in WR Department. 
Although, any inobidience and misconduct to higher authorities deserves punishment under Govt. Servants conduct rule but both side should understand each others situation. But if it is made intentionally by either of them, then it's not a good sign.
In this moment, OSS Cadre  Association (OSSA) representatives should move to manage the situation. 

Retirement of OSS officers on 31.07.2019

Reposting of Sri Gour Prasad Das, Deputy Secretary in Home Department

Deduction of tax from salary by the DDOs

21st Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship from today

Odisha all set to host 21st Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium at Cuttack from 17-22 July, 2019. 

Teams from Australia, Bangladesh, Cyprus, England, Ghana, Guyana, Malaysia, Nigeria, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Wales will be participating including host India. 

Uganda and Jersey, who had entered the championships, pulled out at the last minute citing failure to get clearance of their respective governments, while a final word on Pakistan is yet to be heard as they are awaiting Visa.

Tuesday 16 July 2019

Odisha Legislative Assembly adopted NeVA

As proposed earlier, to make all business of OLA transparent and to reduce paper use, Odisha Legislative Assembly adopted National eVidhan Application (NeVA). 
Before this, different media persons have to wait for copy of answers. Departments had to struggle for Xerox (photocopy) while preparing final answer. All questions and answers of a day are being uploaded in this Web portal. Initially only Starred Assembly Questions are being uploaded but due to more pages in reply of Unstarred Questions, those are not being uploaded. But in future each and everyday business will be available in this portal www.neva.gov.in

Consolidated guidelines on PwD reservation on vacancy

When suitable PwD candidates not available in any recruitment year.... 

Revertion back of Under Secretary to the rank of Desk Officer

Tarun Ch. Madhei, Under Secretary 
Reverted back to Desk Officer
-------
Bimbadhar Pradhan, Desk Officer 
Promoted to Under Secretary 

Monday 15 July 2019

ASO appointment may be delayed for PwD vacancy issues

As per OPSC recommendation for recruitment of 500 ASOs, there are only 13 candidates in the final list whereas there are 20 vacancies in the advertisement.
In this regard, SSEPD Department sought for clarification from OPSC vide letter no. 5292 Dt. 17.06.2019. As per this department, 7(seven) vacancies should have been forwarded to next year vacancy in case no suitable candidates available under PwD category.
But as Government have not issued appointment letter yet, OPSC has requested SSEPD Department vide its letter no.4236 Dt. 25.06.2019 to move Government in GA&PG Department to issue Resolution in this matter to carry forward these vacancies (arise out of non availability of suitable candidates) to next year. 
Extract from OPSC letter.... 
"Since reservation in respect of PwD persons are Horizontal vacancies, it is not possible in part of the commission keep vacancy in the any category of SC/ST/SEBC/UR, which is vertical for recruitment in the post of ASO pursuant to Advertisement No. 10 of 2018-19. If SSEPD Department so desire necessary steps may be taken to move to Government in GA& PG department for issue of necessary resolution regarding which category post (SC/ST/SEBC/UR) vacancies will be kept vacant if suitable PwD candidates not available against the vacancies reserved for them in a recruitment year."
So all recommended candidates have to wait for Govt. decision in this matter. 

Works arrangement of Under Secretaries in Works Department

Updation of data relating to Recruitment & Training by 18th July