Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today announced to enhance the special pay of the drivers of the state government from Rs. 800 to Rs. 1000 per month which will give them financial benefit of Rs. 2400 per year. Besides, he also announced increase in uniform allowance from Rs. 200 to Rs. 300. He said the finance department had already been directed to clear the pending medical and travelling allowance bills of the drivers and conductors at the earliest.He was speaking during the seminar of the Government and Semi-Government Drivers and Cleaners Federation of Himachal Pradesh at Sundernagar.He announced to give two special increments to the drivers driving dozers, JCB and plant machines etc. who have not got the benefit of any promotion during their service period.The Chief Minister said that employee’s welfare had been given special attention by the government and there various demands were being fulfilled from time to time. He said in its short term of just five months, the government had worked for the welfare of employees despite financial constraints.
He expressed hope that employees, which were the backbone of the government, would keep extending full support to the government with utmost dedication and honesty for taking the state further on the path of prosperity and speedy development. He stressed that a new work culture needs to be developed where all should dedicate themselves to fulfil responsibilities given them for betterment of the society and the nation.MP Ram Swaroop Sharma and MLA Rakesh Jamwal also spoke on the occasion.Urban Development Minister Sarveen Chaudhary, Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar, MLA Inder Singh Gandhi were also present on the occasion.President of the Federation Umesh Sharma apprised the Chief Minister about the demands of the Federation.Later, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of Flow Irrigation Scheme Jaral-Jugahan to be constructed at a cost of rupees two crore.