Festival advance for Tamilnadu State government employees increased

 Festival advance for state government employees has been increased from Rs. 2,000 to Rs 5,000, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa told the Assembly on Thursday.

   Making a suo motu statement in the House, she said Rs. 2,000 had been fixed as festival advance five years ago and her government has decided to increase the amount to Rs. 5,000 taking into consideration the present circumstances.

   Ms. Jayalalithaa also announced the government’s decision to increase financial assistance given to government employees who had completed 25 years of service. They will now be given Rs. 2,000 instead of Rs. 500, fixed 15 years ago.

  She said when she was the Chief Minister of the state, an order was issued in 1996 for issuing Indira Vikas Patra worth Rs. 500 to all employees who had completed 25 years in government service. Later Kissan Vikas Patra was issued, but subsequently the Centre stopped Kissan Vikas Patra.

   “So the government has decided to give Rs. 2,000 cash and a certificate,” the Chief Minister said.

   Ms. Jayalalithaa said it was her government that increased advance for house construction from Rs. 15 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh for government employees and teachers and maternity leave from three months to six months.