In a clarification on Thursday, the OSEPA said the recruitment of Junior Teachers (Schematic) has been conducted in a completely automated process based on the government resolution.

On the allegation of the aspirants that ineligible candidates were issued admit cards, the OSEPA said, “The admit cards are automatically generated on the basis of information submitted by the applicant. Examinations were conducted on the basis of admit cards issued after verification of photo and taking bio metric attendance. Therefore, admit card issued is neither an authenticated document nor was it an assurance of entry to the examination hall. OSEPA has verified the bio metric attendance of all candidates who had actually written the exam.”

The aspirants also pointed out discrepancy in the merit list stating that while 20,000 posts had been advertised in different categories, 18,788 names figured in the list. The OSEPA said it has published a draft merit list after taking into account availability of candidates in different categories.

Besides, the certificate verification of all candidates in the draft merit list will be conducted and all ineligible candidates removed from the list, it added.

The OSEPA further said, “The district allotment has been done on the basis of preferences selected by the candidates at the time of application and merit rank. It was an entirely automated and online process.”

Earlier, several aspirants for junior teacher posts staged a protest, alleging irregularities in selection process, in front of the OPESA office in Bhubaneswar.

In 2022, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik declared on November 10 as Mandia Divas (Millet Day). According to ‘Odisha Millet Mission’ policy, CM approved the plans for hosting International Millet Day on November 10, 2023.

The international conference to be organised in collaboration with various affiliates like FICCI will have two days of interactive sessions, G2B and B2B meetings to discuss leadership and facilitation to promote Odisha Millet Mission and Millet Shakti. Through social media campaigns and strategic initiatives such as PR programmes, consumer demand for millets and value-added products produced in Odisha will be encouraged and developed.

A detailed action plan has been prepared like millet quiz competition, essay competition, exposure visit, food festival, rural history program to involve students in collaboration with OSEPA, School and Mass Education Department. Chefs of various hotels and restaurants are being trained in preparing delicious dishes prepared by millets.

The conference will create an opportunity for engagement and collaboration with educational institutions, health institutions, hotel associations, safe associations and others to create wider awareness among students and consumers as nutritious and health-enhancing food options.

The convention will also showcase the success stories of farmers, women self-help groups and other stakeholders of the Odisha Millet Mission. This will facilitate market linkages between companies, MSMEs, FPOs, WSHGs for millet based products.

Briefing about the convention, Principal Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department Dr. Arvinda Kumar Padhee said the meet will encourage the marketing and export of millet-based products, including measures to include the use of millet food in the public distribution system, ICDS, mid-day meals, hostels, etc.

The conference will also help in linking millets with sports and incorporating millets in all sports hostels, engaging schools, hotels, hospitals, celebrities in the use and promotion of millets, linking millets and green investments, re-exploring investments in the Odisha Millet Mission.

Odisha Millets Mission is now expanded to 177 blocks covering 30 districts from 143 blocks in 19 districts. Odisha Cabinet chaired by the Chief Minister has approved expansion of OMM from 2023-24 to 2026-27.

Among others, Development Commissioner and ACS Anu Garg, Commissioner –cum- Secretary, Mission Shakti Department, Sujata Karthikeyan, Director of Agriculture Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Special Secretary of Home Department Dr. Santosh Bala and other officials were present.