Bhubaneswar, Aug 30 (UDN): The Odisha government has decided to ensure strict compliance with court-ordered maintenance payments by deducting the prescribed amount directly from the salaries of government employees who fail to provide financial support to their wives or children.
The decision follows Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s intervention after repeated complaints were raised during public grievance hearings over non-payment of maintenance and alimony despite court directions.
According to officials, cases involving women and children allegedly being denied court-ordered financial support have surfaced regularly during grievance hearings attended by the Chief Minister. Taking note of the issue, Majhi directed the concerned authorities to establish an effective mechanism to ensure that such court orders are implemented without delay.
Salary Deduction Mechanism
Under the procedure issued following the Chief Minister’s directive, the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) concerned will deduct the maintenance amount specified in the court order while processing the employee’s monthly salary bill.
The deducted amount will subsequently be transferred electronically to the bank account of the wife or children named as beneficiaries in the court order.
The mechanism is intended to eliminate delays and ensure that beneficiaries receive the financial assistance awarded by the courts without having to repeatedly approach government offices or initiate additional enforcement proceedings.
Focus on Court Order Compliance
The government’s move particularly targets cases where employees continue to receive their salaries but allegedly fail to honour judicial directions requiring them to pay maintenance or divorce-related alimony.
Officials have been directed to follow the court orders and facilitate timely payment to the eligible beneficiaries.
The initiative is being viewed as an administrative step to strengthen enforcement of judicial orders involving maintenance and provide relief to women and children who depend on such payments for financial support.
The state government’s decision also sends a clear message that government employees cannot ignore court-mandated financial obligations and expect their salaries to remain unaffected.