Odia teachers in Jharkhand unpaid for years despite work

Odia teachers working to preserve their mother tongue in remote areas of neighboring states face severe financial hardship after years without payment. In Jharkhand alone, 154 teachers across three districts teach Odia as a mother tongue in schools, receiving a meager monthly honorarium of Rs 3,000-4,500 through Utkal Sammilani.

These educators have worked under Odisha's *School and Mass Education Department* for 22 years but have not received financial assistance since the 2021-22 fiscal year. Teachers in West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh report similar non-payment for three years.

Despite Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's announcement in September 2024 promising Rs 6,000 monthly grants and clearance of pending dues, payments remain unpaid. Teachers met with Education Minister Nityananda Gond in March, submitting a memorandum demanding immediate release of arrears spanning multiple fiscal years.

The teachers continue their work preserving Odia language and culture in cut-off areas despite financial struggles, highlighting the gap between government commitments and ground reality.