Govt sanctions Rs 7300 crore for arrear benefits including leave surrender and pension revision arrears

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has sanctioned Rs 7321.36 crore for arrear benefits, including leave surrender of government employees, pension reform and LIFE Mission. Despite the severe financial crisis, the amount was sanctioned before the announcement of the elections. This includes the allocation of 2700 crores for three instalments of welfare pension. This was informed by Finance Minister KN Balagopal.

Rs 130 crores have been allocated to LIFE Mission. With this, the amount given to the mission this year has become 356 crores. Rs 12.88 crore was sanctioned as salaries for the months of July and August to the cooperative societies which distribute social security pensions to 22.49 lakh people. This will be delivered from tomorrow. Rs 454.15 crore was allocated for pre-matric and post-matric scholarships up to 2022-23, while Rs 40 crore was allocated for salaries and honorariums of NHM and ASHA workers. This will be paid from the allocation for the next year as there are four months' arrears in the central allocation.

The rubber subsidy, which was hiked from Rs 170 to Rs 180 per kg, will be paid from April 1. This was an announcement made in the budget. The rubber production bonus has also been hiked. Rs 24.48 crores have been sanctioned for this purpose. The subsidy will reach the bank account of all the persons on the list approved by the Rubber Board. More than one and a half lakh small and marginal rubber farmers will receive the benefit.

Leave surrender will be merged into PF
3300 crore has been allocated for leave surrender of employees for 2024-25. Last-grade employees and those without GPF will get the money in cash. Leave surrender of others will be merged into PF. This cannot be withdrawn until 2028. Rs 628 crore has been sanctioned for the third instalment of the 11th pension reform arrears. 5.07 lakh people will get the benefit.

Benefits announced by government
(Amount in Crores)
Service pension arrears................................... 628
Rubber Production Bonus................................... 24.48
Rubber Subsidy................................................... ............. 32
Life Mission................................................... .................... 130
Welfare Pension Distribution Incentive................... 12.88
Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship................. 454
Honorarium for ASHA workers............................40
Welfare Pension................................................... ................ 2700
Leave surrender of employees................................... 3300