Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday distributed appointment letters to 2,067 candidates, including 1,913 Sevak-Sevikas and 154 Tribal Language Teachers, at the 18th Nijukti Mela held at the Krushi Shiksha Sadan Auditorium of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar.
The newly appointed personnel will serve in various schools functioning under the State Government’s ST & SC Development Department.
Addressing the gathering, Majhi said empowering youth through skill development and employment remained a priority of his government. He said the State Government was filling vacant government posts in a phased manner in fulfilment of its promises made before assuming office.
Since the recruitment drive began in June 2024, a total of 48,642 candidates have been provided employment in the state, including the 2,067 appointments announced at Sunday’s recruitment fair, he said.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to strengthen the education sector, the Chief Minister said 28,693 teachers had been recruited so far.
He said the government had undertaken several initiatives to improve educational standards among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who together account for around 40 per cent of Odisha’s population.
In line with the National Education Policy, the state is emphasising mother-tongue-based education at the primary level. School education is currently being imparted in 10 tribal languages, including Santali, he said.
To prevent school dropouts, thousands of students are also being provided financial assistance under the ‘Shaheed Madho Singh Hatakharcha Yojana’.
The number of Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Odisha has been increased to 69. The government has also introduced the ‘Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scheme’ to enable 50 meritorious students to pursue higher education abroad every year, Majhi said.
Advising the newly appointed teachers, the Chief Minister urged them to create a safe and supportive environment in schools and serve as friends and mentors to students. He asked them to guide children with care and compassion rather than adopting an overly strict approach.
He also called upon the newly appointed personnel to discharge their responsibilities with patience, dedication and a positive attitude. Emphasising the principle of ‘Work is Worship’, he urged them to maintain discipline and punctuality in their professional duties.
Majhi warned that irregularities in welfare programmes, including the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, would not be tolerated. He asked teachers to ensure the proper implementation of such programmes and cautioned them against misconduct, including alcohol consumption and inhuman forms of punishment against students.
Teachers must uphold the dignity of their profession and maintain the highest standards of personal conduct and professional ethics, he said.
The Chief Minister also urged newly appointed Sevak-Sevikas posted in flood-affected areas of southern Odisha to extend all possible assistance to people stranded in the affected regions.
Speaking at the event, ST & SC Development Minister Nityananda Gond said the recruitment process had brought relief to candidates who had been waiting for appointments. He described teaching as a noble profession and said teachers played a crucial role in nation-building.
The vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Samruddha Odisha’ could be achieved only when schools developed into institutions that nurtured responsible citizens and good human beings, he said.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari congratulated the newly appointed candidates and said the responsibility of shaping the future of the next generation rested on their shoulders.
Citing the examples of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda and Chhatrapati Shivaji, he said the guidance of an able teacher played an important role in shaping great personalities. He urged the newly appointed teachers and Sevak-Sevikas to perform their duties with sincerity, awareness and dedication.
During the programme, Sulagna Das from Khordha and Bijay Kumar Nayak from Keonjhar shared their experiences and expressed their feelings on receiving their appointment letters in the presence of the Chief Minister.
Among others, Minister for Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Rural Development Rabi Narayan Naik, Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Development Commissioner D K Singh, senior departmental officials, newly appointed Sevak-Sevikas and media representatives attended the event.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the department B. Parameswaran delivered the welcome address, while Special Secretary Sujata Mishra proposed the vote of thanks.
