Jeypore:24th Sept 2025: Under the Mission Shakti department, female workers employed in six different categories have launched an indefinite dharna (protest) demanding fixed monthly salaries instead of performance-based incentives. Acting on the directive of the state union, nearly 200 female group assistant workers (CMOs) from 22 panchayats in the Jeypore block have locked up the Jeevika Mission office and started a sit-in protest in front of the Block Office.
They allege that despite being engaged for years, they have not been given permanent employment. The government continues to pay them performance-based incentives, which amounts to around Rs. 10,750 per month, instead of providing them with a fixed salary. Their demand is to receive regular monthly wages for their services.
Protest Leaders like Block President Mamata Rana, Secretary A. Madhuri, Renuka Mahari, Savitri Gajaba, Mahalakshmi Panda, Jajal Nag, Asha Gauda, TG Bishoyi, Bati Gadaba, and Linaparibin Nag participated in the protest. Since 2009, women workers across Odisha have been engaged under the Jeevika Mission in panchayat offices, but now they feel ignored by the government.
The protest involves workers from different roles such as MBK, CRP, Bank Mitra, Krishi Mitra, and Pashu Mitra (six categories). They claim that they have not received their salaries for the past six months, and ahead of the festival season, they demand immediate payment of their dues and a declaration of fixed monthly salaries.
Laxmipur: Block-level GPLF workers held a dharna in front of the Laxmipur Block Office, demanding regular salaries instead of incentives. Six months ago, the administration was informed about their issues, but no action was taken. As a result, women workers including MBK, CRP, Pashu Mitra, Krishi Mitra, and Bank Mitra have been forced to protest, said Secretary Renuka Nayak. The protest will continue until their demands are fulfilled, confirmed Union President Rashmita Baidya.
Kotpad: In Kotpad, OLM women workers staged a dharna in front of the Mission Shakti Office. They stated that the previous government paid salaries on time, but now salaries are delayed and six months’ wages are pending. They demanded immediate release of pending payments and urged the government to make all workers permanent employees. The protest will not stop until their demands are met, warned the staff.
Lamtaput: Under the directive of the GPLF union, workers began their mass protest (Ganadharona) in front of the Block Office. Employees under Mission Shakti are demanding permanent jobs, release of overdue salaries, and a shift from incentive-based to fixed salary structures. Despite doing more work under the new government, workers receive less income due to the removal of earlier incentives. This has caused financial distress among workers, particularly among MBK, Pashu Mitra, and Krishi Mitra, who have not been paid for six months. They demand permanent recruitment, direct account payments, and pending dues — vowing to continue the protest until their demands are addressed.
Dushmantpur: The GPLF union held a dharna in front of the block office, demanding replacement of incentive-based payments with fixed monthly salaries. Under the previous government, workers such as CRP, MBK, Bank Mitra, Krishi Mitra, and Pashu Mitra were appointed. These women have not been paid for six months and are struggling to support their families, which led to mass protests. Leaders including Gayatri Senapati, Khageshwari Bishoi, Savita Turuj, Marth Pangi, and Kumari Benyak participated, confirming that the protest will continue until all pending dues are cleared.
Baipariguda: Women workers under Mission Shakti have launched an indefinite protest in front of the Block Office. Hundreds of women workers demonstrated with various demands. Previously, all staff received monthly salaries, but since April of this year, the government has implemented incentive-based pay instead of fixed monthly wages.
Despite repeated appeals to district collectors and department ministers regarding the permanency of CRP workers, no action has been taken. Therefore, in response to a call by the State Union, workers in all 314 blocks of Odisha are observing a work stoppage and are sitting on dharna in front of their respective Block Offices.
In Baipariguda, the union’s President Madhuri Gauda submitted a formal letter to the BDO and Tahsildar. They announced that until their demands are met, all operations will remain suspended and protests will continue in front of the Block Office.
Summary:
Block-level GPLF and Mission Shakti workers across Odisha have launched indefinite protests in several locations including Jeypore, Laxmipur, Kotpad, Lamtaput, Dushmantpur, and Baipariguda. Their key demands include:
1. Replacement of incentive-based honorarium with fixed monthly salaries.
2. Permanent employment status for all contractual workers.
3. Immediate disbursement of six months’ pending salaries.
4. Timely payments moving forward.
They have declared that the protest will continue indefinitely until the state government takes concrete steps to resolve their grievances.