In what can be considered a new year gift, the Odisha government on Monday, January 3, decided to hike the salaries of junior teachers of all the primary schools of the state by 50 per cent.

The decision taken by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will be implemented from January 1, 2022, and will benefit 33,038 junior teachers. According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), 13,324 contractual and 19,714 regular teachers will get an enhanced salary as per the decision.

The salary of contractual junior teachers, which was Rs 7400, has been increased to Rs 11,000. The salary of regular junior teachers, which was Rs 9200, has been enhanced to Rs 13,800. The state government will have to bear an additional burden of Rs 168 crore per year for the implementation of the decision.