ASSAM : Pay hike to State govt staff likely before polls.

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Assam Government is likely to announce a new pay package for its employees ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. According to sources, the State Pay Commission that was to submit its report by December 31 has been asked by the State Government to expedite the submission of the report.

“The idea is to ensure that we announce the revised pay package ahead of the polls,” said a top State Government official.Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi parried questions about the revising the pay package of his employees.

He said Assam Government was among the first States to announce a pay hike. “We have already announced merger of 50 per cent D.A with Basic, besides providing 10 per cent interim relief,” he added.Financially because of our economic growth, we are in a much better position,” he said, adding that more funds were now available for planning and development.

Meanwhile, Assam Government is unlikely to invite the Tatas to shift its Nano project because of the land crunch. Replying to question, Gogoi said that he has only 2000 acres of available land. “We want to use this land for the knowledge city,” he said.“We have requested Tatas to invest in the education sector in Assam because through education, we can create jobs,’ he said.

Replying to questions, he clarified that unless the State had lands, he could offer it to the Tatas. “How can I acquire the land,” he asked.

Source: The Assam Tribune
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