Govt salary breather

TT, Calcutta, Nov. 21: The Mamata Banerjee government will allow nearly four lakh employees to withdraw a portion of their next month's salary in cash by the end of November.

Finance department officials said Group C and Group D employees would be allowed to withdraw Rs 5,000 each while contractual employees in the categories would be given Rs 2,000. The employees will have to submit a requisition to the officers concerned by November 25.

"The amount paid would be adjusted with next month's salary," an official said.

Sources said the chief secretary had held a discussion with RBI officials in Calcutta and was apparently given an assurance that the government would get the cash required to pay the advance amount to the employees.

Some officials said the decision followed a similar move by the Centre earlier this month.

"The poor people are suffering. This is the reason why such a step has been taken," an official said.