Odisha Govt Reforms File Disposal Process, Mandates 3-Layer Model by July 31

Departments instructed to designate Establishment Officers, rationalize staffing, and align file movement with OSWAS

In a bid to enhance administrative efficiency across all departments, the Government of Odisha has issued a comprehensive directive addressing file disposal processes, staffing rationalisation, and establishment protocols.

According to the General Administration & Public Grievance Department’s letter dated July 14, 2025, each department must designate a Special or Additional Secretary as the Establishment Officer. This role will oversee cadre matters, including transfers, postings, pension issues, and disciplinary cases, while coordinating with cadre-controlling departments.

To promote equitable workload distribution, departments have been instructed to analyse and rationalise the performance of Assistant Section Officers (ASOs) and Section Officers (SOs) based on their daily file disposal statistics in OSWAS. Officers handling fewer than two files per day will be reviewed.

Further, a streamlined 3-layer system for file movement has been mandated to minimise delays in decision-making. This delayered model will include the ASO/SO, Desk Officer/Under Secretary, and Joint/Additional/Special Secretary before final approval by the Secretary.

All department branches and directorates must map their hierarchy according to this model and submit the finalised structure to the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) by July 25. Full compliance, including rationalisation reports, is expected by July 31, 2025.

The move signals a major shift towards digitised governance, improved accountability, and faster service delivery under the Odisha government’s administrative reform agenda.