Odisha government to deduct alimony directly from salary, the finance department has issued a detailed SOP in this regard. The department has clearly mentioned the process in which the amount fixed by the court will be transferred to the beneficiary directly.
This step will see to it that there is no more delay in payment of authorized maintenance and alimony. The said amount will be deducted from the salary of government employees who do not pay the prescribed amount despite the court order.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been issued by the Finance Department in this regard. As per the system, after receiving the authenticated and executed order of the authorized court, the concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) will immediately show the alimony or maintenance amount as ‘Private Deduction’ in the monthly pay bill of the employee in HRMS.
Odisha government to deduct alimony directly from salary. The amount deducted from the salary will be deposited in the specified government current account of the DDO through the treasury. Later, it will be sent directly to the verified bank account of the beneficiary. Before paying the first installment, the DDO will have to verify the authenticity, legality and execution status of the court order.
In addition, the identity and bank account details of the beneficiary will be verified and an undertaking will be accepted in the prescribed format. The beneficiary receiving alimony or maintenance will have to appear before the DDO twice a year for physical examination. Once in the month of April and the second time after six months that is in the month of November.
If the person does not appear on time then the next installment will be withheld. The money will be released only after the verification is completed. Similarly, if the court order is modified, suspended or canceled, the beneficiary will have to immediately inform the DDO in writing. Any change in the marital status affecting the right to maintenance should also be informed immediately.
In the last Chief Minister grievance cell meeting the CM heard almost two to three cases of state government employees not paying the maintenance to their estranged wives. The CM took strict note of the matter and decided to take concrete steps in this matter.
Odisha CM on alimony order further said that, being a state government employee and being in contempt of court order and mistreatment of divorced women and children is completely unacceptable. The Human Resource Management System (HRMS) had been asked to assist in this matter. Then it was decided that there shall be proper system in place that will deduct the amount from the government employee and deposit it to the beneficiaries account.
