Despite Odisha govt assurance, gaon sathis not to call off stir

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 5:

Despite the Odisha govenment accepting in principle their demand for permanent employment yesterday, gaon sathis have threatened to continue their agitation till all eligible gaon sathis have got permamnet employment and monthly salaries.

Pic: Biswaranjan Mishra
Pic: Biswaranjan Mishra

An agreement on providing permanent employment to gaon sathis was reached at a 45-minute long meeting between a six-member delegation of gaon sathis led by Gaon Sathi Mahasangh president Laxmidhar Biswal and Panchayati Raj minister Arun Sahoo yesterday.

While expressing gratitude to the minister and department officials, Biswal made it clear today that the agitation could continue till the last gaon sathi receives a permanent job and regular monthly salary.

“The minister drew an outline to implement the proposal and assured us to speak to the ministers of finance, law and the Chief Minister to carry out the promise. However, protests would  continue till all the deserving candidates are employed permanently and receive their remunerations,” Biswal said at a press conference here today.

The Gaon Sathis, who have been protesting in front of Odisha Assembly since Nov 20 demanding permanent employment and organized a massive rally on Dec 2.

It may be mentioned here that the Gaon Sathis were recruited primarily to assist in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) in villages. Two people from each village having the highest educational qualification were appointed as Gaon Sathis.

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