Tripura to form panel for hike in employees’ salaries

Agartala, March 10: In a bid to send a message to the State Government employees, the cabinet in its first meeting decided to constitute an expert committee to propose ways and means to raise the salaries and allowances of the employees on par with the proposals of the Seventh Pay Commission.

The Tripura government headed by Chief Minister Biplab Deb took oath on Friday. It also took a fil decision concerning implementation of the 7th Central Pay Commission. If the proposals are executed, over 2.45 lakh employees and pensioners will be benefited.

However, the model code of conduct is still in force as the election of the Charilam constituency, which was countermanded due to the death of a CPI (M) candidate, is scheduled to be held on March 12 and votes will be counted on March 15. 

After the first meeting of the BJP council of ministers, headed by Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Tourism Minister Prajit Singha Roy said mes of the members of the expert committee would be announced soon.

Roy, also the Agriculture and Transport Minister, said the first session of the new Tripura Assembly would be held on March 23. Veteran BJP legislator and former Minister Ratan Chakraborty would be the Pro-tem Speaker on March 14 and would administer the oath to the newly-elected members of the Assembly on March 15 and 16.

Addressing his first press conference after assuming the office, Chief Minister Biplab Deb said his government is committed to fulfill all the promises made before the election. 

The cabinet, on Saturday, also decided to recommend CBI investigation to the murder of two jourlists Santanu Bhoumik and Sudip Datta Bhaumik.

 The cabinet also decided to propose reming the Agartala Airport after the last king of Tripura Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishor Manikya Bahadur. The airport was built during his period and the maharaja contributed a lot in its planning and construction.  

The Chief Minister exhorted the officials and staff to be punctual in order to improve work culture in all government departments. On his government’s priority sectors, Deb med good governce, improvement of law and order, building infrastructure and widening of employment opportunities.