Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has decided to give ad-hoc bonus on the occasion of Diwali in the interest of the employees, despite the severe conditions arising out of Covid-19 pandemic.
Also, keeping in view the demand of some employees to end the salary cut, Gehlot has also taken the important decision to make the salary cut, voluntary.
As per the decision taken by the Chief Minister, 25 percent of the bonus will be paid in cash to the employees and 75 percent will be deposited in the General Provident Fund Account (GPF) of the employee.
Similarly, for employees recruited after 1st January 2004, a separate scheme will be prepared. It is noteworthy that due to the adhoc bonus being given to more than 7.30 lakh employees of the state, a financial burden of about 500 crores is likely to come on the treasury.
Gehlot said that in times of disasters like famine, flood, earthquake, etc the employees have gone ahead and voluntarily contributed by observing salary cuts. “Also, during this time, people including public representatives, voluntary organizations, Bhamashah, NGOs, migrants have been supported.
After the outbreak of Covid-19 in March, 29 organizations of officers and employees had requested the government to cut the salary to help the victims.
Later in the meeting of various employee organizations with the Chief Secretary and ACS (Finance) on 20 August 2020, the salary cut was also agreed, but on the request of some employees to abolish the salary cut, it has been decided to make it a voluntary deducation,” he said.
The CM said that State Government has made excellent management of Covid-19, expanding health facilities and helping the needy people in this epidemic.
“In this time of crisis, saving life and livelihood is our top priority. The state government is currently taking an additional loan of Rs 5500 crore as the state has not received its full share of GST compensation from the Government of India.
The amount received from the salary deduction is being used to assist the needy affected by Covid-19, corona management and to strengthen financial resources.
Nearly 55.47 lakh needy and poor families who are outside the National Food Security Scheme have been distributed 10 kg of wheat per person and two kg of gram per family free of cost,” Gehlot said, further adding, similarly, a total cash assistance of Rs.1144.39 crore was given to 32.27 lakh families of various categories like poor, construction workers, helpless, rickshaw drivers, street vendors etc.
under the social security schemes. The Chief Minister said that despite the odd economic challenges, the State Government will not have any shortage in resources to combat this pandemic and help the needy.
