Pension rules eased for Class III, IV staff

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 24

In a major relief to Class III and IV employees seeking voluntary or pre-mature retirement, the Cabinet on Thursday approved the relaxation in the conditions for grant of full pension on completion of 20 years.

The government had amended the pension rules vide notification issued on November 11, 2014, providing that the employees would be eligible for seeking voluntary retirement after 20 years of service but would not get full pension if the qualifying service of 33 years was not completed.

The notification said such employees would get pro-rata pension if the service rendered was less than 33 years. The provision was made to curb the tendency on the part of qualified doctors, engineers and other professionals but as there is no such problem in case of Class III and IV employees, the relaxation has been granted but in case of Class I and II employees, there would be no relaxation.

The Cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur approved the draft notification of ‘Mukhya Mantri Swavlamban Yojana’ to promote self-employment opportunities to provide livelihood to the local youth by encouraging local entrepreneurship.

It also decided to launch the Himachal Grihni Suvidha Yojna for women empowerment and environmental conservation. Under this scheme, the state government would provide security for LPG connections and gas stove to remaining households which were not covered under ‘Ujjawala’ scheme being run by the Central Government. Both schemes were announced in the budget by the Chief Minister.

The Cabinet gave its nod to increase the honorarium of office-bearers of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the state. The honorarium of chairman, Zila Parishad, has been increased from Rs 8,000 to Rs 11,000, vice chairman of Zila Parishad from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,500, member, Zila Parishad, from Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,500, chairman, Panchayat Samiti, from 5,000 to Rs 6,500, vice chairman, Panchayat Samiti, from Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,500, Member, Panchayat Samiti, from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000, pradhan and up-pradhan of Gram Panchayat from Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,200 to Rs 4,000 and Rs 2,500 per month.

The Cabinet also approved hike in the state share of honorarium of anganwari workers, anganwari helpers and mini anganwari workers from Rs 1,450 to Rs 1,750, from Rs 600 to Rs 900 and from Rs 750 to Rs 1,050 per month, respectively. With this increase, the anganwari workers will get honorarium of Rs 4,750, anganwari helpers will get Rs 2,400 and mini anganwari workers will receive an honorarium of Rs 3,300 per month.

The Cabinet further decided to raise annual scholarship under Dr Ambedkar Medhavi Chhatravriti Yojna from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12000 and increase the number of students eligible for this scholarship in X, XI and XII classes from 2,000 to 2,500. It also gave its approval to fill up 333 posts of different categories on contract basis in National Health Mission to provide better healthcare facilities to the people.

The Cabinet which reviewed the working of MPP and Power Department, decided to make electricity complaint system more effective, especially installation of new connections. It also stressed on bringing the distribution losses on zero basis and forming quick action team at divisional level so that action could be taken immediately in case of emergent situation.

Other decisions

• A draft notification of the ‘Mukhya Mantri Swavlamban Yojana’ to promote self-employment opportunities for the local youth approved
• The Himachal Grihni Suvidha Yojana for women empowerment and environmental conservation to be launched