Indravati college staff still to get salary dues

Newindpress.com, 13th March , 2008

BHAWANIPATNA: Staff of Indravati Mahavidyalaya (Plus Two), Jaipatna, in Kalahandi district are going without their legitimate dues, which include annual salary increment, DA and other allowances, from 2003 to 2007. The aggrieved staff have moved the Orissa Hydro Power Corporation Limited (OHPC), which is running the college, in this regard but in vain.The college is catering to the needs of children of SC and ST communities and project employees in this economically and educationally backward area of KBK. It was established in 1984 by the local people when there was no Science college in the district except the Government College, Bhawanipatna.The then chief minister Biju Patnaik after a visit to the area had directed the Energy Department to manage the college by Upper Indravati Hydro Electricity Project (UIHEP) and declared that after completion of the project, the college would be taken over by the Education Department.Accordingly, the college was funded by UIHEP since 1992. Later the college was transferred to the OHPC after the corporation came into being. The staff had received revised scales from January 1, 1996 to 2003 in accordance with the Fifth Pay Commission.Everything went well when the full salary was suspended in 2003. "We are yet to get our increment arrears from 2003 to 2007. This is when the staff of Indravati Project College, Khatiguda, in Nabarangpur district also being run by OHPC by the same order are getting full salary," said a lecturer.Though the salary was regularised in 2007 it was again frozen this year. The staff in a memorandum to OHPC authorities said after being deprived of their genuine dues they have been put under financial strain which led to demoralisation.They also urged the Chief Minister to initiate measures for takeover of the college by the Education Department. At a meeting presided by the Chief Minister it was decided that the college shall be handed over to the Education Department.The college having its own building, play ground, full-fledged library and infrastructure got permanent recognition in 2003.