Tripura government has taken a significant step to boost the festive spirits of its employees by announcing an increase in the festival grant across various categories. Finance minister Pranajit Singha Roy shared this exciting news during a press conference held on Thursday.
According to the announcement, the festival grant for state employees will see a substantial hike of Rs. 300. This decision is expected to benefit a total of 1,97,176 employees across various categories, making their festive celebrations even more enjoyable.
Singha Roy highlighted that the hike in the festival grant would require an additional allocation of Rs. 36 crore from the government’s budget. The move is seen as a gesture of appreciation and recognition for the dedicated workforce of the state.
Under the new arrangement, Group-C and Group-D employees, including those recruited on a fixed-pay basis and DRWs (Daily Rated Workers) with prior approval from the Finance department, as well as pensioners and family pensioners, will receive a festival grant of Rs. 1800.
For PTWs (Part-Time Workers), contractual workers, casual workers with prior concurrence from the Finance department, Anganwadi workers, helpers, Home Guards, and SPOs (Special Police Officers), the festival grant will amount to Rs. 2000.
Additionally, the Finance minister noted that the festival advance for employees, excluding Anganwadi workers, helpers, Home Guards, and Asha workers, will remain unchanged at up to Rs. 20,000.
However, Anganwadi workers, helpers, and Home Guards will now be entitled to a festival advance of up to Rs. 5000, while Asha workers will receive up to Rs. 2000 through NHM (National Health Mission).
In a noteworthy move, the government has extended the availability of festival advances beyond Durga Puja. Employees can now access festival advances for other significant festivals, including Christmas, Garia Puja, Buddha Purnima, Eid-al-Fitr, Bengali New Year, Mahavir Jayanti, and Gurunanak Birthday, in accordance with their respective religious observances.
This decision by the state government is expected to uplift the spirits of its employees and enhance the joy of celebrating various festivals throughout the year.
