Bhubaneswar: In a significant move aimed at supporting field-level agricultural staff, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday approved a hike in the monthly Travelling Allowance (TA) for Agriculture Overseers from Rs 450 to Rs 1,500.
The announcement was made by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) through an official post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“Agriculture Overseers are required to travel at least 20 days a month. The Chief Minister has approved a proposal to increase their monthly travel allowance from Rs 450 to Rs 1,500. This decision will encourage them to travel regularly and serve the farming community more effectively,” the CMO stated.
କୃଷି ଓଭର୍ସିଅରମାନଙ୍କ ମାସିକ ଗସ୍ତଭତ୍ତା ୪୫୦ ଟଙ୍କାରୁ ୧୫୦୦ ଟଙ୍କାକୁ ବୃଦ୍ଧି ପାଇଛି । ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ମୋହନ ଚରଣ ମାଝୀ ଏ ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବକୁ ଅନୁମୋଦନ ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି। କୃଷି ଓଭର୍ସିଅରମାନଙ୍କୁ ଅତି କମରେ ୨୦ ଦିନ ଗସ୍ତ କରିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିଥାଏ । ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ଏହି ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ଦ୍ୱାରା କୃଷି ଓଭର୍ସିଅରମାନେ ନିୟମିତ ଭାବେ ଗସ୍ତ କରିବା…
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) May 15, 2025
The TA for Agriculture Overseers was initially Rs 300, which was revised to Rs 450 in 2023. However, the allowance had not been updated further despite revisions in other categories of government employees’ entitlements. The latest increase is expected to address that gap and boost field engagement by the officers.
According to government data, the state currently has 1,257 Agriculture Overseers working against a sanctioned strength of 1,567 posts.
These officials play a crucial role in implementing agricultural schemes, disseminating technical knowledge to farmers, and ensuring timely delivery of services at the grassroots level.
The decision is seen as part of the government’s broader focus on strengthening agricultural extension services and improving outreach in rural areas.
