Odisha to deduct maintenance from salaries of govt employees who default: CM

Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Sunday that the state government will directly deduct maintenance payments from the salaries of government employees who fail to meet their legal obligations to support their wives or children. The move comes after multiple complaints were raised during the CM’s public grievance hearings, where two to three cases related to non-payment of maintenance were presented at each session. According to a press release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the state government has instructed departmental drawing and disbursing officers (DDOs) to deduct the amounts ordered by family courts from the monthly salaries of employees who default on maintenance or almony payments. These deductions will be transferred electronically to the bank accounts of the employees' wives or children. Majhi expressed his disapproval of government employees who are found to be in contempt of court while simultaneously neglecting their responsibilities towards their families. He stated that such behavior is unacceptable to the state government. Under the new guidelines, whenever a court mandates a government employee to pay maintenance or alimony, the DDOs will incorporate this court-ordered amount into the employee’s monthly salary calculation. Once incorporated, the designated amount will be subtracted from the salary and sent directly to the bank account of the employee’s spouse or children. Officials from the CMO emphasized that the initiative aims to guarantee that maintenance funds reach the intended recipients promptly and prevent government employees from evading their duties. During the CM’s grievance cell meetings, numerous instances were reported where certain government employees failed to adhere to court directives. In response, Majhi directed that these court-mandated maintenance provisions be included within Odisha’s Human Resource Management System (HRMS), which serves as an automated platform for managing government personnel. This integration is anticipated to streamline the implementation of court orders and mitigate delays. The CMO noted that the system would enhance adherence to judicial rulings and alleviate the financial strain experienced by women and children who have had their maintenance payments withheld. Furthermore, the new mechanism ensures that affected individuals do not need to continuously follow up with the delinquent employee to secure their rightful payments. The directive reflects a broader effort to address systemic issues regarding non-compliance with court orders concerning maintenance payments. By embedding these requirements into the HRMS, the government seeks to create a more structured approach to enforcing legal obligations. This measure is expected to provide greater assurance that maintenance payments are made consistently and without interruption. The implementation of this policy underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that legal judgments are respected and upheld. It also highlights the importance of providing immediate relief to those who depend on these payments for their livelihood. As the system becomes fully operational, it is anticipated that the process of fulfilling court-ordered maintenance payments will become more efficient and transparent.