Bhubaneswar: On Friday, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was executed between the Operations Wing of the Odisha Police and the State Bank of India (SBI) to introduce a Corporate Salary Package for the members of the Odisha Special Striking Force (OSSF).

The signing took place during a modest ceremony at the Operations Headquarters in Bhubaneswar, with Sanjeeb Panda, the Director General of Anti-Naxal Operations, serving as the Chief Guest. Representing the Odisha Police, Deepak Kumar, the Inspector General of Operations, signed the agreement, while Ashish Kumar Mishra, the Deputy General Manager of SBI, signed on behalf of the bank.

Approximately 4,000 ex-servicemen are currently serving across the four OSSF Battalions, primarily engaged in Anti-Naxal operations throughout various regions in Odisha, as stated by the state police in a press release.

The Salary Package includes several significant benefits for OSSF personnel, such as accident coverage of Rs 50 lakh, reimbursement for air ambulance services up to Rs 10 lakh, child higher education support up to Rs 10 lakh, coverage for plastic surgery costs up to Rs 10 lakh, family member benefits through the Rishtey Account, access to personal loans, and optional health insurance of Rs 5 lakh for an annual fee of Rs 1999.

Attending the event were Lochan Pasayat, Commandant SOG, and Ramachandra Pradhan, Commandant in charge of OSSF, along with other officers from both the OSSF and SBI.

Sanjeeb Panda expressed gratitude to SBI for the Corporate Salary Package extended to OSSF personnel, emphasizing that these insurance benefits and additional support from SBI would serve as motivation for OSSF members who operate in remote and challenging conditions across the state. This package adds to the benefits already provided by the government.

Currently, there are four battalions of the Odisha Special Striking Force (OSSF) comprising about 4,000 personnel, who are recruited from both ex-army and ex-CAPF backgrounds.