Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Non-Gazetted Forest Service Association has agreed to call off their cease-work agitation on July 7.

Odisha Non-Gazetted Forest Service Association president Jagabandhu Patra made this announcement after a discussion with the state government today.

Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Pradip Kumar Amat and senior officials of the department were present at the meeting.

The office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) in Odisha has informed the agitating Non-Gazetted Forest Service Association regarding the steps taken by the state government to fulfill their demands.

The state government has agreed to provide protection to forest officials of all rank under Section 197 of the CrPC. Besides, steps are being taken to fill up 1,570 posts in Forest department.

Moreover, armed police personnel have been deployed at Similipal Tiger Reserve.

The state government has processed the Special Welfare Fund for field forest officers. Besides, the ex-gratia for the deceased forest official has been increased form Rs 4 lakh to Rs 10 lakh by the government.

Notably, Odisha Non-Gazetted Forest Service Association had resorted to cease work agitation in the wake of the back to back murder of two Forest department employees by the poachers at Similipal Tiger Reserve recently.