HT Correspondent
AGARTALA, Sept 23: The Tripura government is taking steps to gradually reduce the gap in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state employees, Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
He was responding to a notice raised by MLA Gopal Roy during the mention session. The minister said the government, while keeping in mind the state’s financial limitations, is working towards bridging the DA disparity and ensuring timely employee promotions through a permanent mechanism that is currently in the works.
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Roy pointed out that the state had already increased the fitment factor from 2.25 to 2.57 in line with the Central Government’s 7th Pay Commission, resulting in a 14.22% hike in basic pay.
“This revision benefits employees further with every DA increment,” he said.
Highlighting other measures, the minister reminded the House that during the COVID-19 period, the government had extended Dearness Relief (DR) to employees and pensioners, and introduced cash in lieu of LTC.
He also noted that the earlier lack of policy to regularize fixed-pay employees was revised by the current government, which now allows regularisation after five years of continuous service, even across different posts.
On promotions, the minister acknowledged that legal hurdles had stalled the process for years.
However, the government introduced ad-hoc promotions to provide relief and is now drafting a comprehensive policy for regular promotions.
A proposal is also being prepared to extend the benefits of the Chief Minister’s Jan Arogya Yojana to all government staff.
Other employee welfare measures cited include raising the retirement age of TSR (Tripura State Rifles) jawans from 58 to 60 years, increasing ration money and dress allowance for TSR and police personnel, tripling the monthly pension of Home Guards, raising the festival advance from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000, Tripling the festival grant compared to 2018.
“Our government is committed to the welfare of employees. Every step is being taken to reduce disparities and ensure benefits reach all sections,” the Finance Minister said.
