In a move aimed at bringing cheer to its employees ahead of the festive season, the state government of Tripura has announced an increase in the festival grant for various categories of workers.
Finance Minister of Tripura, Pranajit Singha Roy made the announcement during a press conference on Thursday, revealing that the festival grant would see a significant bump of Rs. 300, incurring an additional expenditure of Rs. 36 crore.
This hike in the festival grant is set to directly benefit a substantial workforce of 1,97,176 employees across various categories. Notably, the festival advance remains unchanged despite the increase in the festival grant.
Under the new guidelines, employees falling under Group-C and Group-D categories, including those hired on a fixed-pay basis with regular pay scale posts kept in abeyance, DRWs (Daily Rated Workers) engaged with prior approval from the Finance department, and pensioners/family pensioners will receive a festival grant of Rs. 1800.
The decision also outlines that PTWs (Part-Time Workers), contractual workers, and casual workers engaged with prior approval from the Finance department, Anganwadi workers/helpers, and Home Guards/SPOs (Special Police Officers) will be entitled to a festival grant of Rs. 2000.
Pranajit Singha Roy further noted that the festival advance for employees, excluding Anganwadi workers/helpers, Home Guards, and Asha workers, is set at a maximum of Rs. 20,000.
Anganwadi workers/helpers and Home Guards will enjoy a festival advance of up to Rs. 5000, while Asha workers will be eligible for up to Rs. 2000, courtesy of NHM (National Health Mission).
Notably, this increased festival grant and advance are not limited to Durga Puja alone. Employees will also be able to avail festival advances during other festivities such as Christmas, Garia Puja, Buddha Purnima, Eid-al-Fitr, Bengali New Year, Mahavir Jayanti, and Guru Nanak’s birthday, aligning with their respective religious celebrations.
This decision by the state government of Tripura was greeted by the employees.