Assam Budget Adds Paternity Leave and Pension Perks

Guwahati: Assam Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah dropped the state budget on July 10, bringing new perks for public workers. The government now grants 14 days of paternity leave to staff. It is a rare move for a state government.

The policy aims to balance family duties at home. Officials also widened the net for maternity leave. Women working for government societies and public sector undertakings now get the same paid leave as standard state employees.

Death benefits got a boost too. Families of government workers who die within their first year of service now qualify for 50 percent of the Compensatory Family Pension. The rule covers those hired on or after April 1, 2017. "The initiative aims to encourage greater parental involvement in childcare and promote shared family responsibilities," the government stated.

These changes apply starting from the date of sanction. The state claims these steps will strengthen social security and make workplaces more gender-sensitive.