THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has announced a bonus of Rs 4,000 for government employees for Onam. Employees not entitled for the bonus will get a special festival allowance of Rs 2,750, said Finance Minister K N Balagopal. Service pensioners and employees under the contributory pension scheme will be paid a special festival allowance of Rs 1,000.

All government employees of the state will get an Onam advance of Rs 20,000. Other employees including part-time and contingent employees will be given Rs 6,000 as advance. All categories of employees including contract-scheme workers, who got festival allowance last year will get the same this year also. More than 13 lakh employees and workers will get special assistance on the occasion of Onam.