New Delhi (Agency): The Chhattisgarh state government has taken the decision to abolish the stipend provision, which previously dictated that government employees appointed through direct recruitment would receive their full salaries only starting from the fourth year of their appointment. This move is projected to impact nearly 38,000 government officials and employees, according to an official from the public relations department.
The timing of the decision is notable as it comes ahead of the upcoming assembly polls scheduled to take place later this year. During the Rajiv Yuva Mitan Sammelan held on Saturday, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced the discontinuation of the stipend provision. Subsequently, the state cabinet approved this decision later in the evening.
Under the stipend rule, which came into effect in 2020, government officials and employees appointed through direct recruitment were subject to receiving stipends of 70%, 80%, and 90% of the basic pay scale during the first, second, and third years of their probation period, respectively. Only upon completion of the probationary period would they be entitled to their full salaries starting from the fourth year of their appointment.
Prior to the implementation of the stipend rule, the probation period for employees was two years, during which they received full salaries from the outset of their appointment.
The Chhattisgarh state government introduced changes to the recruitment rule in July 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The rationale cited was the necessity for additional financial resources to combat the pandemic and the need to manage future salary costs efficiently. Consequently, the probation period for employees was extended from two years to three, and the practice of providing full salaries from the fourth year of appointment was adopted.
During the initial year, employees appointed through direct recruitment received a stipend equivalent to 70% of the basic pay scale, which increased to 80% in the second year and further to 90% in the third year.
A political expert based in Raipur pointed out that the stipend rule could have become a contentious issue in the upcoming assembly polls. The decision to abolish the provision is seen as a significant step aimed at garnering support from employees and their families in anticipation of the elections.