The Odisha Engineer’s Service Association (OESA) has reached out to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to address critical issues concerning the Odisha Engineering Service (OES) cadre. The association emphasised the need for the State Government to restore the position of Engineer-in-Chief (EIC)-cum-Secretary in the Works Department, a post traditionally held by engineers.
The OESA pointed out that since 1936, the Works Department had been led by individuals with engineering backgrounds, such as A. Vipan. However, this changed in 2003 when an IAS officer, Arabinda Behera, was appointed as Secretary. This trend continued with subsequent IAS appointments, including Kishan Kumar in 2019 and the current Secretary, Vir Vikram Jadav. The OESA believes that an engineer’s technical expertise would better serve the department, leading to the faster execution of infrastructure projects in Odisha.
Odisha Engineer’s Service Association (OESA) Demands Rectification of Pay Anomalies
The OESA has also highlighted significant pay disparities within the Odisha Engineering Service cadre. The association noted that only 5.89% of engineering posts are at Pay Level 16 and above, with specific percentages for the Water Resources Department (6.21%), Works Department (5.31%), and Housing and Urban Development Department (6.39%). In contrast, other State service cadres have around or more than 10% of their posts at this pay level.
The OESA has urged the government to conduct a comprehensive review of these pay anomalies. They are pushing for an increase in posts at Pay Level 16 to at least 10% across all OES cadres, ensuring fair and equitable treatment for engineering professionals. This adjustment, they argue, would align the engineering cadre with other state services, providing better incentives and recognition for their work.
OESA Advocates for Recruitment and Cadre Restructuring
To attract fresh talent, the OESA has proposed increasing the direct recruitment quota for Assistant Executive Engineers (AEE) from the current 60% to 75%. This move, according to the association, would bring in new perspectives and improve efficiency and innovation within the engineering services.
The Odisha Engineer’s Service Association also called for regular recruitment under the direct quota through the Odisha Public Service Commission. They believe this would ensure that the best candidates are selected, maintaining the quality of the engineering services.
Additionally, the OESA has stressed the need for a standardized and transparent transfer policy. This policy should consider the personal and professional needs of engineers, aiming to reduce stress and promote fairness. They also proposed the restructuring of the engineering cadre in the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, with the creation of more upper-level posts.
The OESA General Secretary, Prafulla Kumar Behera, added that vehicles should be provided to engineers to facilitate the supervision of various projects. The association hopes that these changes will lead to the overall betterment of the engineering community and contribute to the development of the State.
In conclusion, the Odisha Engineer’s Service Association has presented a strong case to the Chief Minister, advocating for the restoration of key posts, rectification of pay disparities, and improvements in recruitment and cadre management to enhance the functioning of the Odisha Engineering Service cadre.