Chennai, 26 February (IANS). The Tamil Nadu government has announced an increase in pension and retirement benefits for nutrition organizers, anganwadi workers, gram panchayat secretaries and several other categories of special time-scale employees, reaffirming its commitment to grassroots welfare staff.
In an official statement, the government said the monthly pension of nutrition organisers, Anganwadi workers and gram panchayat secretaries has been increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,400.
Apart from this, the lump sum retirement benefit received on completion of service has been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
This decision has been taken following the recommendations of the Officers Committee formed in 2017 to review pension and retirement benefits for special time-scale employees.
Based on those recommendations, the government has issued orders to grant special periodic pension and enhanced lump sum retirement benefit to employees drawing special time-scale pay.
The beneficiaries include Nutrition Organiser, Anganwadi Worker, Mini Anganwadi Worker, Forest Field Worker, Anganwadi Helper, Cook, Kitchen Assistant and Cleaner.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has also approved measures to provide increased family pension and funeral assistance in case of death of retired employees.
According to the notification, if a retired nutrition organizer or Anganwadi worker dies, his family will get special family pension along with help in performing the last rites.
The purpose of this step is to provide social security and financial help to the families dependent on these workers.
The government clarified that the revised special pension, lump sum retirement benefit and family pension will be distributed under the respective account heads of the concerned departments.
Any additional financial expenditure arising out of increased benefits will be debited to the correct account head already assigned to those departments.
This announcement is expected to benefit thousands of grassroots workers who play a vital role in providing nutrition services, early childhood care and rural administrative support across the state.
By strengthening their security post-retirement, the government aims to recognize their contribution to public welfare and community development in Tamil Nadu.
Officials said the enhanced benefits will be implemented as per the government order, and detailed implementation guidelines will be issued by the concerned department.
–IANS
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