Aided college lecturers seek common GIA policy, pension, retirement age of 62
Bhubaneswar: Lecturers and employees of aided non-govt colleges in the state have sought a common and comprehensive grant-in-aid (GIA) policy covering pension , service conditions, promotions and other benefits, besides raising their retirement age from 60 to 62 years. On Wednesday, the All Odisha 662 (+2 & +3) Aided Non-Government Lecturers & Employees Association ( AOANGLEA ) submitted a memorandum to law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan , highlighting long-pending service-related issues faced by employees covered under the 2008 and 2014 GIA orders.
The association said Odisha has not had a comprehensive GIA policy for years and alleged that successive policies notified in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2022 and 2023 were largely block-grant arrangements. It sought a fresh policy that recognises the entire service period of employees and safeguards their pension and other service benefits.
A senior official of the higher education department said while pension is a state issue and only the govt can take a call on it, the other issues are being looked into. “Besides, the Ashok Tripathy panel on teachers’ demands, including those of the AOANGLEA, has recently submitted its report and the govt is studying it,” he said.
The association also demanded clear placement and promotion provisions for lecturers and a modified assured career progression (MACP) scheme for other employees. Golak Nayak, the convener of 662 Category Colleges Association, said several employees have completed long years of service without receiving a promotion. He said the govt should make a provision to ensure at least one promotion during their career.
On retirement age, the association sought an increase from 60 to 62 years for teachers in aided non-govt institutions. It said employees of govt colleges had benefited from revisions in retirement age, while their counterparts in aided colleges continue to retire at 60. It also cited the National Education Policy and provisions in other states in support of the demand.
“Most importantly, govt should consider taking over all aided higher secondary schools and colleges because these institutions are facing financial strain amid delays in reimbursement of admission, readmission and course fees under the govt’s free education initiative, Gyanodaya-Sikshya Ru Samruddhi ,” he said.
The association said Odisha has not had a comprehensive GIA policy for years and alleged that successive policies notified in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2022 and 2023 were largely block-grant arrangements. It sought a fresh policy that recognises the entire service period of employees and safeguards their pension and other service benefits.
A senior official of the higher education department said while pension is a state issue and only the govt can take a call on it, the other issues are being looked into. “Besides, the Ashok Tripathy panel on teachers’ demands, including those of the AOANGLEA, has recently submitted its report and the govt is studying it,” he said.
The association also demanded clear placement and promotion provisions for lecturers and a modified assured career progression (MACP) scheme for other employees. Golak Nayak, the convener of 662 Category Colleges Association, said several employees have completed long years of service without receiving a promotion. He said the govt should make a provision to ensure at least one promotion during their career.
On retirement age, the association sought an increase from 60 to 62 years for teachers in aided non-govt institutions. It said employees of govt colleges had benefited from revisions in retirement age, while their counterparts in aided colleges continue to retire at 60. It also cited the National Education Policy and provisions in other states in support of the demand.
“Most importantly, govt should consider taking over all aided higher secondary schools and colleges because these institutions are facing financial strain amid delays in reimbursement of admission, readmission and course fees under the govt’s free education initiative, Gyanodaya-Sikshya Ru Samruddhi ,” he said.
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