THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government have agreed in principle to grant more Earned leaves as incentives to government employees serving in Kasaragod, Idukki and Wayanad districts after being transferred from other districts. The decision was reached in the meeting of service organizations called by Chief Secretary Dr V. Venu on Thursday. An official announcement will be made only after the election code of conduct is over.

As per existing norms, there is only one earned leave available for eleven days on duty. This will be changed to one earned leave for eight days on duty. The organizations demanded that ten per cent of the basic salary be paid as a special allowance, but no agreement was reached on this.

The decision about earned leave was taken minding the routine practice of transferred officials to take leaves at a whim, thereby affecting the project implementation. The crisis is mainly in the engineering, medical, paramedical and revenue departments.

Those who work in these districts for a fixed period are often transferred to their desired place or nearer to their hometown. However, this is not followed as officials often use influence to receive quick transfers or else take long sabbaticals from the office. Due to a lack of sufficient staff, development projects are also delayed in these districts.