Thiruvananthapuram:  The government of Kerala on Wednesday announced a bonus of Rs 4,000 for government employees for the festival of Onam. The Finance Minister KN Balagopal announced Onam bonus and festival advance to 5.2 lakh state government employees who were granted a hefty pay hike only four months ago. The Kerala government has set apart Rs 311 crore for the purpose.

In a statement, State Finance Minister said the employees not eligible for the bonus would be given a special festival allowance of Rs 2,750. In addition,  the employees can avail themselves of Onam advance of Rs.15,000 which should be repaid in five equal installments. All the part-time and contingent staff can also avail an advance of Rs.5,000, said the statement. The service pensioners and those who had retired as per the participatory pension scheme would be given an allowance of Rs 1,000, it added.

In April, the government had allotted Rs 4,850 crore for implementing pay revision.

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