Sops likely for govt staff in backward areas

The taskforce on redressing regional imbalances has suggested providing special benefits to government employees working in backward districts.

It has, however, suggested a cap on the tenure in such areas at three years. The move aims at encouraging people to work in these regions.

Among the perks suggested is a 25 per cent hike in salary, provision of educational facilities and housing to government employees working in districts, designated as backward under the Backward States Grant Fund.

The fund, with a corpus of Rs 25,000 crore, was to be operational for five years starting 2005-06. For the first two years, however, the ongoing Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana will continue along with the new programme.

In 2007-08, districts that do not qualify as the poorest and most backward will be dropped from the programme. At present, the Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana covers 150 districts.

The report of the taskforce, which has been provided to the Planning Commission, will be used as an input for finalising guidelines for the Fund.

Doubts have, however, been expressed on whether it would be wise for the state government to pay such allowances.

"It would be better to give the employees these additionalities through the panchayati raj institutions (PRIs)," Planning Commission officials said, adding this would be one of the ways to ensure that only those employees who actually spent time in the districts receives the additional benefits.

It has been suggested that in addition to the above, they should be allowed to retain government accommodation in the state headquarters for the term of the posting.

Doing such work should also be considered as a "desirable qualification" for future promotions, postings and career programmes.

It has also suggested the reserving about 10 per cent of the fund for capacity building programmes.

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Fund features

• The fund, with a corpus of Rs 25,000 crore will be operational for five years starting 2005-06.
• For the first two years, the Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana will continue along with the new programme.
• In 2007-08, districts that do not qualify as the most backward will be dropped from the programme.