Pema Khandu
Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu signing the first file on his first day in office after taking charge in the second term. Image credit - Twitter @PemaKhanduBJP

Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, after assuming charge for the second term on Sunday, signed the first file extending maternity leave and child care leave benefits to female contingency and contractual staff of the state government.

Khandu was sworn in as the 10th chief minister of the Himalayan state for the second term on Wednesday.

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It may be mentioned that the maternity and child care leave was only given to regular government employees of Arunachal and the contingency and contractual staff were debarred from these benefits.

Also read: Arunachal: Khandu distributes portfolios among 11 Cabinet ministers

Considering the genuineness of the case, the chief minister cleared the file under which the contingency and contractual female staff serving in various capacities under the Arunachal Pradesh government will now get 180 days of maternity benefit and 60 days of child care leave.

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This decision of the Khandu government is expected to benefit approximately 20,000 plus female contingency and contractual employees spread across the state in various departments.

Earlier on the day, chief minister Khandu was accorded a red carpet reception at Civil Secretariat on Sunday by chief secretary Satya Gopal, commissioners and secretaries and staff from the CM’s office on his first day office after being sworn in as chief minister on May 29.

The ITBP stationed at the civil secretariat gave him a splendid guard of honour with Rashtriya salute.

Khandu was then accorded a traditional welcome at the CM’s office by CMO staff led by CM’s secretary Sonam Chombay.

The monks chanted prayers and did the rituals while others greeted Khandu with traditional scarves and flowers.

Khandu’s better half, Tsering Dolma accompanied him during the traditional ceremony.