The 54th Biennial General Council Meeting of the Odisha Engineers Service Association (OESA), along with the Biennial Conference of the Indian Engineers Federation, was held in Bhubaneswar, bringing together engineers from across the state to deliberate on development, policy, and professional advancement.
Call for Long-Lasting Infrastructure
Addressing the inaugural session, chief guest Rabinarayan Naik, Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, emphasized the need for durable infrastructure that can stand the test of time. He urged engineers to aim for structures with a lifespan of over 200 years, aligning with the vision of a “Vikashit Odisha, Vikashit Bharat.”
Citing iconic structures like the Konark Sun Temple and Jagannath Temple, he questioned why modern engineering cannot replicate such longevity, calling for innovation and commitment in public infrastructure projects.
Government Focus on Skill Development and Policy Reform
Guest of honour Prithviraj Harichandan, Minister for Works, Law and Excise, highlighted the critical role of engineers in achieving a developed Odisha by 2036. He encouraged engineers to strive for global excellence and assured that the government is considering several initiatives to strengthen the engineering workforce.
These include:
- Formulation of a State Road Maintenance Policy
- Mandatory training programs for government engineers
- Exposure visits to developed countries
- Establishment of a modern technical training centre by the association
Launch of ‘Techno Voice’ Magazine
During the event, the association’s biennial magazine “Techno Voice” was officially launched by the dignitaries, showcasing technical insights and contributions from engineering professionals.
Key Demands Raised by OESA
The association leaders presented a series of demands aimed at improving service conditions and career growth for engineers. These included:
- Leadership roles for engineers across all engineering departments
- Allocation of at least 10% of engineers in Level-16 and 17 under the 7th Pay Commission
- Annual recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers through the Odisha Public Service Commission, with an increase in direct recruitment quota from 66% to 75%
- Implementation of a uniform transfer policy
- Cadre restructuring and promotion for Panchayati Raj engineers
- Incentives for higher qualifications and special pay for complex assignments
- Inclusion of OESA in policymaking related to service conditions
The demands were submitted to the Chief Minister through the attending ministers.
New Office Bearers Elected
The second session of the meeting focused on internal discussions and elections of new office bearers.
- Er. Ananta Kumar Mohanty was elected as President
- Er. Rajendra Kumar Sethi as General Secretary
- Er. Abhisek Swain as Treasurer
Elections for other posts were also conducted during the session.
Wide Participation Across Departments
The event witnessed participation from hundreds of graduate engineers representing key departments such as Water Resources, Works, Housing and Urban Development, Panchayati Raj, and Drinking Water, reflecting strong engagement from the engineering community across Odisha.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from engineers and policymakers to work collaboratively toward building a robust and future-ready infrastructure ecosystem in the state.