Bringing cheer to the State cadre officers, the Odisha Government on Thursday increased the cadre strength in the ACF and DFO level while approving the restructuring of Odisha Forest Service (OFS).
The Cabinet which gave its nod to the restructuring increased the cadre strength in the OFS Group-A (Junior Branch) while reducing the strength in the Senior Branch.
The cadre strength in junior branch (Assistant Conservator of Forests) has been enhanced from 163 to 250, whereas senior branch (Divisional Forest Officer level) has been slashed to 62 from 70.
The State Government also created two new grades - Super Time Scale and Superior Administrative Grade (SAG).
The Super Time Scale (STC) will have six positions while the SAG has three. OFS cadres expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
“This decision will enhance the promotional avenues for the state cadre officers who had been neglected. They will get more opportunities to get into the IFS cadre,” president of the OFS Association Harshabardhan Udgata said.
Earlier those who attained the age of 54 before getting into the junior branch and the senior branch were debarred from entering the IFS cadre. Now the STC and SAG cadres will take care of them, he said.