Indian state governments announce new welfare measures for employees

The Karnataka government has announced a 50 per cent increase in the hardship allowance for police personnel. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that the decision aims to address the financial needs of the police force, aligning the state with policies in neighboring regions. The announcement was made during an event in Bengaluru, where the Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of training provided by the National Security Guard (NSG) to enhance the skills and abilities of local officers.

In West Bengal, the state cabinet has introduced a simplified transfer grant process for government employees. Under the new rules, employees transferred to a new post can receive a lump-sum grant of up to Rs 50,000 or 80 per cent of their basic pay, whichever is lower, without the requirement to submit expense receipts. This provision applies to transfers involving a distance of 30 km or more and also extends to retiring employees settling at a new location.