Bhubaneswar: The 28th Board Meeting of the Odisha Water Supply and Sewerage Board (OWSSB) was held today in the 2nd Floor Conference Hall of Unnati Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, under the Chairmanship of the Minister, Housing & Urban Development Department and Chairperson, OWSSB, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mohapatra.
The meeting assumed special significance as several long-pending service, financial and administrative reforms were deliberated in detail and approved unanimously by the Board.
In a landmark decision aimed at ensuring parity and boosting morale, the Board approved extension of promotional benefits to Engineers working under OWSSB (Board Cadre) at par with those available to the PHE Cadre under the H&UD Department. This move will resolve long-standing promotional issues of Assistant Project Engineers and provide a structured career progression pathway.
Further strengthening the cadre structure, Deputy Project Engineers (DPEs) in the rank of Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) will be re-designated as Additional Project Engineers. The post of Additional Project Engineer will be filled through promotion from DPEs in the ratio of 40% of the sanctioned strength, thereby institutionalizing transparent and merit-based advancement.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister stated, “Our engineers are the backbone of urban water and sewerage infrastructure. Ensuring fair promotional avenues and service parity is not just an administrative correction — it is a commitment to dignity, motivation and institutional excellence. These reforms will strengthen OWSSB from within.”
Recognizing the tireless contribution of field-level workers, the Board approved a special incentive of Rs 200 per day for Daily Labour Roll (DLR) workers of OWSSB. Additionally, DLRs disengaged upon attaining the age of 60 years will now be eligible for due gratuity benefits, ensuring financial security after years of service.
The Minister emphasized, “Those who work on the ground to ensure uninterrupted water supply deserve recognition and social protection. This incentive and gratuity provision reflect our inclusive and humane governance approach.”
In a major step towards financial autonomy, the Board resolved that funds and revenue generated by OWSSB from its own sources will be utilized for implementation of its own action plan. This will significantly enhance operational flexibility, improve project execution timelines and ensure better resource optimization.
To streamline governance and improve coordination, the Engineer-in-Chief (EIC), OWSSB will function as the Member Secretary of the Board, enabling faster decision-making and administrative efficiency.
Further, to address complex and long-pending technical and legal issues, the Board approved constitution of a permanent sub-committee comprising representatives from the Departments of General Administration, Finance, and Housing & Urban Development, Government of Odisha. The sub-committee will examine technical and legal matters and facilitate timely resolution through structured review.
Additional Chief Secretary, H&UD Department, Usha Padhee, highlighted the reform-oriented nature of the decisions and stated “Institutional strengthening requires both structural reforms and employee welfare. The decisions taken today enhance accountability, improve governance architecture and empower OWSSB to function with greater autonomy and efficiency.”
Among others, senior officials including the Managing Director of Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO), EIC, OWSSB, EIC (PH) and other Members of the Board were present in the meeting.
The decisions taken in the 28th Board Meeting reaffirm the Government’s commitment to professional excellence, employee welfare, financial prudence and efficient delivery of urban water supply and sewerage services across Odisha.
