Punjab cabinet announces bonanza of Rs.800 crores to employees

CHANDIGARH: In a major Rs.800 crore bonanza to Punjab employees, the Punjab cabinet Wednesday introduced the Assured Career Progression Scheme (ACP) 4-9-14 in the pre- May 28, 2009 format w.e.f. November 1, 2011. However, the employees who got the consequential benefits under the modified ACP would not be deprived of the same.

The cabinet also decided to regularize all daily wage and work charged employees in different departments, boards and corporations in the state. This is in addition to an across the board Special Permanent Grade Pay of Rs. 150 plus allowances including DA, HRA to all its employees up to Pay Band 3 with Grade Pay of Rs.5400 and would also be included to determine pension.

In a landmark decision, the government also decided to extend all pensionary benefits to all its employees retiring on or after April 1, 2012 at the completion of 25 years of service, instead of the present 33 years.

In a special gesture to its women employees, the government also introduced a special Child Care Leave of one year, in addition to the maternity leave, for all women having at least one child below the age of 18 years.

A meeting of the cabinet held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, also announced handsome package for the Punjab police personnel, including special permanent grade pay and one special increment besides manifold increase in conveyance allowance to all ranks from Constables to Inspectors.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that the all the allowances not specifically dealt with by the 5th Punjab Pay Commission would be doubled while those left untouched by the Previous Pay Commissions shall be made four times.

In a major relief to the group ‘D’ employees as well as drivers, the Cabinet decided to grant one special permanent increment to all such employees like peons, chowkidars, malis etc. The drivers would also be entitled to have a special allowance of Rs.1400 per month.

Recognizing the arduous nature of the police personnel right from the level of Constable up to an Inspector, the cabinet gave nod to grant one special permanent increment to all police personnel who are in service as on 31.3.2012. This would be in addition to Rs.150 special grade pay to all employees in the Pay Band 3 i.e. Rs.10300-34800 with grade pay of Rs.5400. Besides, their conveyance allowance would be made at par with the ministerial staff of appropriate parity.

The House Rent Allowance (HRA) admissible to the employees serving within the limits of municipal corporations of Patiala and Bathinda have been hiked from 15% to 20% so as to be at par with Chandigarh and SAS Nagar, Mohali. The cabinet also decided that in case an employee who is entitled for rent free accommodation and is not offered such accommodation would be granted an additional benefit equivalent to 5 % of his revised pay, over and above the normal house rent allowance.

In a significant move reflecting governments special concern for the women employees, the cabinet decided to grant fully paid leave up to one year during the entire career in part or whole for the child care. This leave could be availed of at any time as long as at least one child is below the age of 18 years.  This would not be debited to the leave account and would be in addition to other leave entitled to them including maternity leave as at present.


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