Bhubaneswar- In a significant move just ahead of the Rath Yatra, the Odisha government has announced a major enhancement in the cessation benefits for employees appointed on an ad-hoc basis, reflecting its commitment to employee welfare and financial security.
Earlier, ad-hoc employees were eligible for a one-time cessation package of Rs1.5 lakh at the end of their service. However, under the fresh decision approved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, this benefit has now been increased to Rs2.5 lakh, according to an official release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
The revised benefit will be applicable to those ad-hoc employees who are regularised but have not yet completed five years of service. For those who have crossed the five-year mark in regular positions, a minimum gratuity of Rs2.5 lakh will be granted upon retirement.
The government has also introduced a progressive feature to this benefit—the one-time gratuity amount will now automatically increase by 10% every two years. Importantly, this increment won’t require separate approval from the Finance Department. Individual departments will have the authority to implement the hike on their own, making the process more efficient and employee-friendly.
This reform comes as part of the state government’s larger effort to acknowledge the long-term contributions of temporary and ad-hoc employees and bring more parity in their post-service entitlements. It also highlights the administration’s proactive stance on labour rights and governance, especially for those who have served without full regularisation for extended periods.
With this announcement, the Odisha government sets a positive precedent, balancing fiscal responsibility with compassion for its workforce.
