Bhubaneswar: The Higher Education Department has clarified that employees working in Odisha’s public universities cannot be treated as government employees, stating that their service conditions are governed by individual university laws and regulations rather than general state government service rules.
In an official clarification, the department stated that teaching and non-teaching staff of public universities function under the provisions of their respective university acts, statutes, and service regulations framed by the institutions.
The clarification assumes significance amid growing demands from university employees seeking parity with state government staff in matters related to salary structures, allowances, pension benefits, and implementation of new welfare schemes.
According to the department, any new scheme, notification, or service rule introduced by the Odisha government for its employees will not automatically apply to university staff members unless specific instructions are issued separately for universities.
Officials said each university has an autonomous administrative framework, and decisions regarding employee benefits and service conditions must align with the provisions laid down under the respective university governance systems.
The clarification is expected to impact future discussions on service benefits and policy implementation across public universities in Odisha, where staff associations have often sought equal treatment with state government employees.
Odisha has several state public universities functioning under separate legislative and administrative structures while receiving financial and policy support from the state government.
-OdishaAge
