The Odisha government has introduced a new rule to ensure divorced women and children receive court ordered maintenance payments on time. Under this directive, if a state government employee fails to pay alimony or child support as ordered by the court, the amount will be automatically deducted from their monthly salary and transferred directly to the bank accounts of those entitled to it.
The decision was taken after repeated complaints reached the Chief Minister’s grievance cell, where officials noted that several employees were ignoring court instructions and not making the required payments. On average, two to three such cases were being reported during each hearing.
To enforce compliance, divisional drawing and disbursement officers will now prepare salary bills in line with court orders. The fixed amount will be deducted before salaries are released and deposited electronically into the accounts of divorced wives or children.
The move is intended to prevent contempt of court and protect the rights of women and children who depend on these payments for financial support. It also sends a clear message that government employees cannot ignore legal responsibilities.
By linking salary deductions directly to court orders, the state aims to create a transparent system that ensures timely relief for affected families. The initiative highlights the government’s effort to strengthen accountability among its workforce and uphold fairness in cases involving family responsibilities.