CM announces key benefits for Corporation staff
PANAJI
As a step towards providing job and financial security to employees of the Goa Human Resource Development Corporation (GHRDC), Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announced several benefits in line with those given to State government staff. These include a pay hike, permanent job status, house loan allowance, bonuses, and an extraordinary unpaid leave facility to work abroad.
Addressing the Corporation’s annual day event, Sawant also said the State has proposed a collaboration between GHRDC and the National Institute of Skill Training to offer diploma courses in various skill-based programmes for employees. “This Corporation is very close to my heart as I have faced a lot of backlash for this Corporation. I am happy to say that this is the only self-sustaining corporation. We have decided to extend all the benefits of government staffers to the employees of GHRDC in a phased manner,” Sawant announced.
He declared that employees who complete a two-year probation period with a clear background, punctuality, and a clean vigilance record would get permanent job status within the Corporation.
“With three years—two years of probation and one year permanent—the staffer will be absorbed in any uniformed jobs like police, fire, or forest, provided he or she clears the fitness test. We have reserved 10 per cent jobs in these departments for GHRDC. Age relaxation is also granted,” he said.
Sawant also announced that from 1 April onwards, the State will cover the service tax deducted from employees’ salaries. He declared a pay hike of Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 from next month and said the government is also considering reimbursing the salary tax that has already been deducted.
“Staff will also be entitled to bonuses and house loan allowances from the coming year,” he added.
Apart from the existing casual and privilege leave, Sawant announced six months of paid maternity leave for female staff.
“Also, in line with State government employees, from next year, GHRDC staff will be eligible for two years of extraordinary unpaid leave, wherein you can secure your job here for two years and go to foreign countries and work during that period,” he said.
Sawant said the government has tied up with BVG India Limited, one of India’s largest integrated service companies, to provide two-year employment opportunities abroad for staff.
To encourage employees to pursue further studies, Sawant said the government has announced one-time financial assistance of Rs 10,000 for administrative staff, which can be reimbursed during their service tenure.
