Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has accepted the demand of Odisha Primary Teachers’ Association (OPTA) regarding restructuring of cadre & also indirectly approved hike in grade pay to Rs 2800 from Rs 2200, informed association president, Rajesh Mohanty today.

“More than 72,000 teachers will now be benefited from the decision. This is good news as teachers will now get promotion which was pending for a very long time,” Mohanty said.

Mohanty added that more than 72,000 teachers will be benefited because of the decision.

After the implementation of the new directive, number of Level 4 and Level 2 posts will be increased and new posts will be created for senior teachers, lecturers and senior headmasters.

According to sources, teachers will now become eligible for 3 promotions.

“Cadre reorganisation was pending for a very long time for primary school teachers. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today approved it and the decision has been communicated to the members of the association,” School & Mass Education secretary, Pradipta Mohapatra said.

Meanwhile, teachers, lecturers and other employees of 4,000 block grant schools and 1500 colleges have been demanding hike in pay and implementation of other service conditions as being availed by the teachers in government and regular grant-in-aid educational institutions. Their protests are continuing even though they have resumed their duties after calling off the cease-work stir.