Kolkata, March 18 (H.S.) – The West Bengal government has announced an 'ad-hoc' bonus for its employees. According to the official notification, government employees with a monthly salary of up to ₹44,000 will be eligible for this bonus. Those earning above this threshold will not receive the benefit. The government has also clarified that Muslim employees will receive the amount before Eid, while Hindu employees will get it before Durga Puja.

As per the notification, government employees earning up to ₹44,000 per month will receive a bonus of ₹6,800. This payment will be made under the 2019 West Bengal Pay and Allowance Revision policy. The amount will not include house rent allowance, medical allowance, or any other subsidies.

The scheme applies to employees who have served for at least six months in the 2024-25 financial year. Additionally, temporary employees who have worked for a minimum of 120 days during this period will also be eligible for the bonus.

The government has also extended this benefit to retired employees. Those who retired before September 30, 2024, will be eligible for the bonus. Employees retiring between September 30, 2024, and September 1, 2025, will also receive the benefit. In case of a pensioner’s death during this period, their family will receive the amount, provided the pension does not exceed ₹38,000 per month.

Eligible pensioners will receive a bonus of ₹3,500. If a pensioner passes away, their spouse will be entitled to the amount. However, political pensioners and refugees from Pakistan will not be included in this scheme. The bonus will be directly credited to the bank account where regular pension payments are received.

Teachers and staff of private educational institutions receiving government grants, who are pension beneficiaries, will also qualify for this scheme. Additionally, employees who retired from Panchayats or Municipalities will be entitled to the bonus.

The government has also announced that employees who exceed the ₹44,000 salary limit but earn less than ₹52,000 after March 31, 2025, can avail of an interest-free advance of up to ₹20,000 during the festive season. This amount must be repaid in a maximum of 10 installments, with full repayment required by August 31, 2026.

However, employees retiring before November 1, 2025, will not be eligible for this facility. Those joining government service between March 31, 2025, and October 1, 2025, will be allowed to take the advance under this scheme.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh