Central Government Employees Celebrate: The Indian government has approved an additional 42 leave days for central government employees as part of a revised leave policy. This long-awaited enhancement aims to improve work-life balance and support employees’ mental well-being, following extensive discussions with employee welfare organizations and administrative committees.
Key Highlights of the New Leave Policy:
- Annual addition of 42 leave days approved
- Applicable to Group A, B, and C employees
- New categories include Mental Wellness Leave and Family Care Leave
- Implementation set for July 1, 2025
- Current earned or casual leaves remain unchanged
- Leaves are fully paid, ensuring job security
This decision addresses rising concerns about stress and burnout among employees, particularly in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Reports have highlighted the need for more compassionate human resource policies, driven by demands from employee unions and global HR trends focused on work-life balance.
Key Advantages for Government Employees
Healthcare Access: Government employees and their families can access affordable healthcare services, including treatments and medications, through the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), which continues post-retirement.
Leave Entitlements: Female employees receive six months of maternity leave, while male employees are entitled to 15 days of paternity leave. Extended medical leave is also available for serious health issues or accidents.
Retirement Provisions: Upon retirement, employees are eligible for a pension, gratuity, and a Provident Fund (PF). The New Pension Scheme (NPS) includes a monthly salary deduction that contributes to their pension.
Housing and Travel Benefits: Employees benefit from travel concessions for air or rail travel every four years under the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) and can choose between government housing or a House Rent Allowance (HRA).
Educational Assistance: Scholarships and education allowances are available for employees’ children, who also receive priority admission to Kendriya Vidyalayas.
Additional Leave and Festival Loans: In addition to national holidays, employees are entitled to special holidays and can access interest-free loans during festival seasons.
A new pension scheme will launch on April 1, 2025, providing employees with 25 years of service a pension of 50% of their last basic salary. Those leaving after 10 years will receive a monthly pension of 10,000 rupees, benefiting approximately 2.3 million employees.
(Newsroom staff only edited this story for style from a syndicated feed)
