Centre mulls more incentives for staffers to pursue edu

The Centre is mulling a plan to extend more financial incentives for its employees for acquiring advanced educational qualifications while in service.
The Ministry of Personnel has sought suggestions from all central government departments in this regard.
As per the existing scheme, an employee gets a maximum of Rs 10,000 for acquiring a Post Graduate degree in computer science, information technology or veterinary science, or for a Ph.D, post his or her induction into service.
Besides, a lump sum incentive of Rs 8,000 is also given to an employee for getting a degree in engineering, computer science or computer application.

As per a 14-year-old government order, for a diploma in computer science and computer application, Rs 4,000 is given, while Rs 2,000 is the incentive to qualify in the intermediate examination.
The incentives are only for acquiring higher qualification following induction into service.

The Ministry of Personnel (MoP) has been sending reminders to the various central government departments to give their suggestion on reviewing the existing incentives.
Reminders were sent in June, 2009, August and October, 2009, and in January and March of 2010.
"Even after the lapse of considerable time, no inputs in this regard have been received from the ministries or departments, except from the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance," the MoP said in a memorandum issued today in which it has requested all concerned to furnish their suggestions within 30 days.

The said incentive is given to an employee to encourage him or her to acquire new skills to keep pace with contemporary changes in governance, an MoP official said.