Cabinet okays OAS cadre restructuring

The state cabinet approved the restructuring of cadre of Odisha Administrative Officers (OAS). Following the restructuring exercise, the number of junior class-I officers has been scaled down from 984 to 854.

Out of 130 officers slashed from the junior class-I scale, 90 officers will be placed under senior class-I category, 25 under super time scale, 11 would be promoted to the level of OAS SAG (superior administrative grade) and four others would be placed under special secretary rank. The OAS cadre presently includes 1,416 officers.

In another decision, the cabinet gave its nod for upgradation of assistant engineers to assistant executive engineers. The matter was pending due to litigation. The cabinet also allowed extension of licenses of the existing IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) off shops and country spirit shops by four months. The license fees has been hiked by 20 per cent.

The state government's notification issued last year for allotment of liquor shop licenses through e-auction was scrapped by the Odisha High Court in July 24, 2013 stating that it was not practicable and could not be implemented.