Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Engineers Service Association (OESA) has strongly condemned the Odisha Government’s decision to re-engage Chandra Sekhar Padhi, a retired Engineer-in-Chief (EIC) in the Water Resources Department, as Officer on Special Duty (OSD)-cum-EIC for a period of six months. The re-engagement, confirmed by a notification from the Department of Water Resources on July 3, 2025, has sparked outrage among serving engineers who view it as a setback to their promotional prospects.
In a press note issued on 4 July, OESA President Biranchi Narayan Pradhan has urged the State Government to immediately reconsider the appointment order. The Association emphasized that such re-engagements of retired officials obstruct the natural career progression of qualified and experienced serving engineers who are capable of holding top positions.
OESA has consistently advocated for the appointment of serving engineers to leadership roles, stressing the importance of technical expertise and experience within the department.
The Association believes that relying on retired personnel, even for temporary periods, undermines the morale of the current workforce and limits opportunities for upward mobility. They have previously highlighted issues concerning pay anomalies, cadre restructuring, and the need for regular recruitment to fill vacancies with fresh talent.
The re-engagement of retired engineers has been a contentious issue in Odisha, with the government previously issuing guidelines for such appointments, often to address manpower shortages or utilize specialized expertise. However, OESA maintains that these re-engagements should not come at the cost of the promotional avenues for serving engineers.
The Association has called upon the State Government to prioritize the promotion of eligible and deserving serving engineers to the rank of Engineer-in-Chief, thereby fostering a conducive environment for professional growth and ensuring efficient functioning of the Water Resources Department.
With thousands of members across various government departments, OESA represents a substantial portion of the engineering workforce in the state. This large membership gives them considerable collective bargaining power and a strong voice.
OESA regularly engages with the Odisha Government on critical issues concerning engineers, including promotional avenues, pay anomalies, and cadre restructuring. Their consistent advocacy demonstrates their commitment to their members’ welfare and their active role in shaping policies related to the engineering service.