The Hindu : No bonus for this Pongal too

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

No bonus for this Pongal too

By Our Special Correspondent

Chennai Jan. 6 With Tamil Nadu's financial crisis yet to ease, the State government employees will not get the bonus package for this Pongal too.

Though the government employees unions have petitioned the Government to release bonus, the State's "cash position is not yet comfortable" to concede the demand, a senior official confirmed today.

However, the Government has restored the festival loan facility, which was withdrawn in the last financial year and the employees who have not availed themselves of the advance yet, can get it for Pongal, the official said.

Till 2000-2001, the government employees were given both Pongal bonus and a festival advance for Diwali. However, with the financial position taking a down turn, the Government put the festival advance on hold and withdrew the bonus package as well.

Amid protests from the unions, the Government arranged for bank loans instead of the festival advance in 2001-2002. However, in the present financial year, the festival loan facility was restored, permitting employees to get the advance for any festival.

But, when a section of employees unions went on stir last year demanding DA arrears and Pongal bonus, the Government refused to concede either of the demands. "There is no change in the Government position on the bonus issue," the official insisted.

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