Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has taken a strict stance against government employees who fail to pay court-ordered maintenance or alimony to their wives or children.
Under a new directive issued on the Chief Minister’s instructions, the amount ordered by a court will be deducted directly from the concerned government employee’s salary and transferred electronically to the bank account of the wife or children entitled to receive the maintenance.
The move follows complaints received during the Chief Minister’s grievance hearings regarding government employees who allegedly failed to comply with court orders directing them to provide maintenance to their wives or children.
According to the Odisha government, around two to three such cases are being received during each grievance-hearing session.
Salary to be deducted as per court order
Under the new guidelines, once a court issues an order directing a government employee to pay maintenance or alimony, the concerned departmental Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) will deduct the specified amount while preparing the employee’s monthly salary bill.
The deducted amount will then be transferred electronically directly into the bank account of the employee’s wife or children, as applicable.
The government said the measure is intended to ensure compliance with court orders while also providing timely financial support to women and children who are legally entitled to maintenance.
CM Majhi takes strict view
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has reportedly said that it is not acceptable for a government employee to disregard a court order and, at the same time, fail to provide financial support to their wife or children.
The government said the issue is particularly significant in cases where courts have already issued clear directions regarding maintenance or alimony but the concerned employee has allegedly failed to make the required payments.
The new mechanism is aimed at preventing such delays by making the payment process more direct and systematic.
Maintenance payments to be integrated with HRMS
The Odisha government also plans to integrate court-directed maintenance-related payments into the state’s Human Resources Management System (HRMS).
According to the directive, the system will be further strengthened and automated in the coming days to facilitate implementation of court-ordered maintenance deductions.
The government said the measure will not only help ensure compliance with judicial directions but also reduce the financial difficulties faced by women and children awaiting court-ordered maintenance.
