Service perks suspended as part of austerity measures in Manipur

IMPHAL, March 15: With a view to curb extraneous expenditure, the government has initiated a number of austerity measures in the state with immediate effect. Among other measures, the government has temporarily withdrawn grant of special pay, special allowance and secretariat duty allowance hitherto allowed to certain specific posts. Non-practicing allowance, paid to medical and veterinary doctors in government service has also been withdrawn. According to an office memorandum issued in this regard by the state finance department (pay implementation cell), the temporary withdrawal of allowances is for a period of six months, and may thereafter be reviewed by the state government. The office memorandum however made it clear that special pay/allowances for state police commandoes and cashiers will remain intact. It also stated that if any administrative department feels it necessary to revive the special pay in respect of certain categories of posts, the proposal is to be considered by a screening committee to be constituted by the state chief secretary, additional chief secretary-I and II and principal secretary (finance). Apart from this, the state government has also suspended vehicle maintenance allowance given to various state government officials. Further, ceiling has been imposed in encashment of unutilized earned leave by employees. A statement issued in this regard said credited unutilized earned leave should not exceed the maximum limit of 240 days. Restrictions have also been imposed on medical reimbursement entitlement of government employees. It is worth mentioning that the state Cabinet, in its most recent meeting, had also approved several other austerity measures, including reduction of staff allocation, petrol allowances and STD privileges of ministers.