Pema Khandu
Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu during a public function at Yingkiong in Upper Siang district on Wednesday. Image - Northeast Now

Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu on Wednesday announced to grant Tough Location Allowance (TLA) for all the State Government employees as a New Year’s gift.

Addressing a public function at Yingkiong in the Upper Siang district, the Arunachal Chief Minister said, “Expressing gratitude to all the employees for being an active part of Team Arunachal and in delivering all the people centric policies to the last man of the State, I announce to give the Tough Location Allowances as recommended by the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) from January 1.”

Arunachal Pradesh has around 66,000 regular Government employees and it is one of the few States in the country to implement the 7th CPC despite resource constraint.

Granting of TLA to all regular employees will lead to an additional burden of Rs. 127 crore over and above Rs. 203 crore which is being provided as of now. Thus, the total annual involvement of existing and additional emolument proposed will be Rs. 330 crores which is roughly 60 per cent more than the existing allowances.

Khandu said that over a period of last two years, several inclusive transformational systematic changes have brought in governance by Team Arunachal.

“I give full credit today in this New Year to all Government servants who form the core of our Team Arunachal. Therefore, I consider it my bounden duty to recognise their great effort and contribution towards inclusive growth and development in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Though the Government is constraint with scarce internal resources in appreciation of the dedication of our employees as a New Year Gift I announce the grant of TLA to all the regular employees. Your valuable contribution in our march towards progressive development is duly acknowledged,” said Khandu while announcing the sop for the visibly happy employees.

The Arunachal CM said since the State Government is investing heavily on State Government employees’ welfare, the people in return expect their 100 per cent commitment towards their service and give their whole-hearted effort towards the development of Arunachal.

Khandu was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, BJP State president Tapir Gao, Health Minister Alo Libang and legislators Pasang D Sona and Olom Panyang.

Damien Lepcha is Northeast Now Correspondent in Arunachal Pradesh. He can be reached at: [email protected]