Contract programmers seek pay hike

Computer programmers engaged by the State Government in various blocks and DRDA offices are on agitation demanding regularisation of their service.

On an indefinite strike under the aegis of All-Odisha Computer Programmers Association since Monday, they said although their role is vital for implementation of important e-Governance projects, the State Government has been paying them just `9,300 as monthly salary.

The Government had created 344 computer programmer posts in the Panchayati Raj department nine years ago and accordingly, the selected candidates were deployed on contractual basis in various blocks and DRDAs.

They alleged that while contractual employees in other departments of the Government have already been regularised, their case has not been considered.

Although they have been demanding regularisation from 2010, the Government is yet to take a decision.

Association vice-president Sashikanta Das said since September 2009 there has been no hike in the remuneration. But at the same time, regular employees have been getting 10 per cent hike on DA annually and 3 per cent annual pay increment.

“In the last four years, their salary has increased by 50 per cent while our salary is equal to that of a Class IV employee. In other departments, contractual employees were regularised after six years of service, but the Government is yet to hear our case,” Das alleged.

 The computer programmers on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seeking his intervention.

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