CHENNAI: In a major relief for pensioners, the State government has announced that the Pongal bonus for pensioners and family pensioners under the C and D categories has been increased to Rs 1,000 from the existing Rs 500, reaffirming its commitment to employee welfare ahead of the harvest festival.
Chief Minister MK Stalin has issued an official order sanctioning additional financial assistance to support government staff and pensioners during the festive season.
As per a government statement, present employees and teachers under the C and D categories will receive a maximum Pongal bonus of Rs 3,000. Pensioners and family pensioners under the C and D categories, former village administrative officers, village assistants, and other individual pensioners will also receive a Pongal bonus of Rs 1,000.
The government has also extended a special payment of Rs 1,000 to those working on consolidated pay, those receiving special time-scale pay, and full-time or part-time employees who have completed at least 240 days of service during the 2024–25 Financial Year. This move is expected to benefit thousands of temporary and contract workers serving in various government departments and institutions across the State.
To implement the scheme, the government has sanctioned a total allocation of Rs 183.86 crore to benefit around 9.90 lakh employees and pensioners.
As per the chief minister's announcement in the Assembly, the increase in the Pongal bonus from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 will benefit nearly 4.71 lakh pensioners and family pensioners, resulting in an additional expenditure of Rs 20 crore on the state.
To further support pensioners during the festive season, the existing festival advance has been enhanced from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000. This measure will benefit around 52,000 pensioners and involve an additional expenditure of Rs 10 crore.
Meanwhile, following the allocation of funds for the Pongal gift hamper, the government has commissioned the production of 1.77 crore dhotis and an equal number of sarees. The Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles, and Khadi Department has allocated nearly Rs 100 crore for yarn procurement and wages for weavers. This initiative will benefit around 63,000 power looms across the State. The free dhotis and sarees will be distributed to ration card holders and beneficiaries under the Old Age Pension Scheme.