Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi authorized a rise in the monthly Travelling Allowance (TA) for Agriculture Overseers from Rs 450 to Rs 1,500 on Thursday, a major step to help field-level agricultural workers. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) made the news in a formal post on the social networking site X, which was formerly Twitter.
“Agriculture Overseers are required to travel at least 20 days a month. The Chief Minister has approved a proposal to increase their monthly travel allowance from Rs 450 to Rs 1,500. This decision will encourage them to travel regularly and serve the farming community more effectively,” the CMO stated.
In 2023, the TA for Agriculture Overseers was raised from Rs 300 to Rs 450. Nevertheless, despite changes to other categories of government employees’ benefits, the allowance has not been revised further. It is anticipated that the most recent increase would close that gap and improve officers’ field participation. The state now employs 1,257 Agriculture Overseers, compared to a sanctioned strength of 1,567 positions, according to official statistics.
These officials play a crucial role in implementing agricultural schemes, disseminating technical knowledge to farmers, and ensuring timely delivery of services at the grassroots level. The decision is seen as part of the government’s broader focus on strengthening agricultural extension services and improving outreach in rural areas.
