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State announces a series of sops for forest officials

BHUBANESWAR: Orissa government on Wednesday announced a series of sops for beleaguered field-level forest officials by deciding to extend insurance cover to them in naxalite-infested regions.

The field-level forest officials would also be eligible for benefits on par with police personnel such as compassionate grant in case of death and injury, special pension and special family pensions.

Keeping the growing attacks on forest officials by naxalites as well as timber smugglers in mind, the State government also decided to set up special striking force with adequate staff, vehicle and arms at 50 locations.

A statement released by Chief Minister’s office here said forest subordinate cadres would be reorganised as an interim measure. To begin with, the sanctioned strength of deputy rangers would be increased from 62 to 168, it said.

Moreover, considering the significance of the service, it had been decided to fill all vacancies at different level through regular recruitment process as being done in the case the police department.

From now on, the forest ranger, deputy ranger and foresters could avail a monthly allowance of Rs. 350 for vehicles and forest guards would get Rs. 75 as cycle-allowance.

Other than this, the forest guards would get Rs. 350 as diet allowance per every month.

However, on the critical issue of upgrading cadres of forest officials, the State government appeared to have kept a safe distance.

“The fitment committee, which has been constituted by State government to examine recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission for central government employees, would take demands of forest officials into consideration,” the release said.

While Forest Rangers were demanding status of Class II officer, deputy rangers lobbied that their posts be elevated to the rank of sub-inspector in police department.

Similarly rangers wanted status of assistant sub inspector’s rank and forest guards of rank of police constable.

“Though the measures announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik were reasonable. We believe our main demand on elevation of cadre was ignored. The State government should have made its stance clear on the demand without leaving it behind to be examined by Fitment Committee,” Aswini Mohanty, a member of Orissa Forest Rangers’ Association (OFRA), said.

The association member said when the government could have immediately made announcement on salary hike and cadre reorganisation for doctors there was no problem in taking similar steps for forest services.

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