Odisha Government Recruitment
In an ambitious move to enhance the efficiency and accountability of local governance in Odisha, the state government has announced a massive recruitment drive to fill over 7,000 Accountant-cum-Data Entry Operator (DEO) positions across Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Districts. This decision, heralded as a significant step towards bolstering the administrative machinery at the grassroots level, aims to improve the regulation of official transactions, management, and documentation of records, as well as the financial management of various governmental schemes.
The announcement came on the heels of a state cabinet meeting held last Friday, where it was resolved to create 7,142 new posts to address the pressing need for better, more effective, and timely regulation of official transactions, along with proper management and documentation of records. This move is expected to streamline the operational framework of Gram Panchayats, ensuring a more effective delivery of services and enhancing the financial oversight of developmental schemes.
The newly created positions of Accountant-cum-DEOs are envisioned to play a pivotal role in the administrative ecosystem of the Gram Panchayats. By facilitating a smoother transactional process and ensuring the meticulous management of records, these professionals are expected to bring about a significant improvement in the overall governance at the village level. The initiative is also seen as a response to the long-standing demand for a more robust and transparent system that can handle the complexities of rural administration and development effectively.
To regulate the recruitment and service conditions of these positions, the Odisha government has formulated a new set of rules titled “Accountant-cum-Data Entry Operator (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2022”. According to these rules, a substantial portion (70%) of the sanctioned posts will be filled through direct recruitment by an independent body, the Odisha Subordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC). This approach is aimed at ensuring a fair and transparent selection process, allowing a wide pool of eligible candidates to compete for these crucial positions.
Furthermore, the government has made provisions to strengthen the existing workforce by integrating experienced personnel from within the system. Thirty percent of the Accountant-cum-DEO positions are reserved for absorbing eligible Gram Rojgar Sevaks (GRS), who have been instrumental in the implementation of various rural development programs at the Gram Panchayat level. This not only recognizes the invaluable experience and contributions of these individuals but also ensures continuity and stability in the administrative functions of the Gram Panchayats.
In an exceptional move, the government has also decided to absorb Gram Rojgar Sevaks who have been selected under the MGNREGA Scheme on a contractual basis and have completed five years of continuous service, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. This one-time measure is aimed at harnessing the experience and skills of these workers, many of whom have been at the forefront of rural development efforts, and integrating them into the mainstream administrative cadre.
This large-scale recruitment initiative by the Odisha government is not just a strategic move to improve the administrative efficiency of Gram Panchayats but also a significant employment opportunity for thousands of job seekers in the state. By creating these new roles, the government is addressing multiple objectives – enhancing the quality of governance at the village level, ensuring better financial management of schemes, and providing gainful employment to a significant number of individuals.
As the recruitment process unfolds, it is expected to attract a diverse pool of candidates, each bringing their unique skills and perspectives to the table. The successful implementation of this initiative could serve as a model for other states looking to bolster local governance and create job opportunities in the rural sector. The Odisha government’s proactive approach in addressing the administrative challenges at the Gram Panchayat level through this recruitment drive is a commendable step towards achieving a more efficient, transparent, and accountable governance system in the state’s rural areas.