IMPHAL, Aug 20: A special state Cabinet meeting convened this evening chaired by chief minister O Ibobi Singh at his official bungalow has decided to increase allowances given to the government employees, but much less than what the JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO have been demanding.
In fact, the state government, as per the directive of the Central government, had announced for the implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations during October 2009.
The long standing delay by the state government in implementing the directive of the Central government and subsequent denial of the rights of the employees of the state resulted in a prolonged ceasework strike for more than six months earlier this year which resulted in total failure of the state administration.
Taking serious count of the total paralyses of every administrative department of the state caused by the all out ceasework agitation of the employees, the state government took a positive step by assuring to fulfill some of the demands of the employees made under the aegis of the AMTUC and AMGEO for the implementation of the 6th pay commission.
The objective of fulfilling the demands of the employees were made during the third round meeting between the government and representatives of the JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO during July this year.
Apparently the state government had invited the representatives of the employees body on August 17 and held a meeting with the government prior to the deadline for effecting an official order.
Accordingly, as per the recent meeting between the government and JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO, a special Cabinet meeting was convened this evening under the chair of the chief minister O Ibobi Singh.
A highly placed source said today’s Cabinet meeting approved enhancement of various allowances given to the state government employees including increase to 25 percent from 10 percent non-practicing allowance for the doctors, Rs. 300 from Rs. 100 as medical allowances for the pensioners etc.
Besides, the state Cabinet meeting also approved for increasing honorarium for various categories of labourers by 50 percent to the existing one. The existing honorarium for unskilled labour at present is Rs. 81.40 per day, Rs. 86.54 for semi-skilled and Rs. 88.80 for skilled labour.
The Cabinet meeting declared that the new allowances to be given to the employees will be effective from April 1, 2010, the source added.