Jaipur: In a landmark policy shift, the Rajasthan government has unveiled a series of significant measures in its latest budget aimed at boosting morale within the state bureaucracy and strengthening social security for government employees and their families.
The reforms include foreign training opportunities for state service officers, expansion of compassionate appointment eligibility to daughters-in-law of deceased employees, enhanced maternity and childcare benefits, pension reforms, and simplified recruitment from waiting lists.
Foreign Training for State Service Officers
In a major administrative reform, the state government has decided to provide foreign training opportunities to state service officers, similar to IAS officers.
This initiative is expected to encourage officers to transition from a rule-based working approach to a role-based governance model, aligned with the spirit of Karmayogi. The move aims to enhance administrative efficiency, global exposure, and professional development among state officers.
Compassionate Appointment Expanded to Daughters-in-Law
One of the most notable announcements is the inclusion of the daughter-in-law of a deceased government employee in the list of eligible dependents for compassionate appointment.
Previously, compassionate appointments were limited to specific family members. Now, the policy expansion ensures broader social security coverage for bereaved families.
Additionally:
If a government employee suffers permanent disability during service and becomes incapable of performing official duties, their eligible dependent will now be entitled to compassionate appointment.
This provision expands on the existing rule that allowed compassionate appointments in cases of disability caused by accidents while on duty.
Recruitment Reforms: Waiting List to Fill Vacancies
To provide more opportunities to youth and prevent vacancy backlogs, the government has introduced new provisions:
- If a selected candidate resigns, dies, or is dismissed within one year of joining, candidates from the category-wise waiting list will be considered for appointment.
- If someone resigns within one year of service, a waiting list will be issued in their place to fill the post promptly.
This move is aimed at ensuring that vacancies do not remain unfilled and that deserving candidates from waiting lists get timely opportunities.
Salary Account Package for Employees and Pensioners
The government will introduce a salary account package for employees of the state government and public sector undertakings. The package will include:
- Advanced banking facilities
- Loans at concessional interest rates
- Insurance coverage
- Integrated salary account benefits
This facility will also be extended to pensioners up to the age of 70, enhancing their financial security.
Major Relief for Women Employees
The budget introduces several women-centric reforms:
- Chief Minister’s Shishu Vatsalya Sadan
- A dedicated childcare facility will be opened during office hours to care for children aged six months to six years of government women employees.
- Expanded Childcare Leave for Single Women
- Currently, women employees can avail childcare leave in a maximum of three phases per calendar year.
Now, single women employees will be allowed to take childcare leave in six phases, considering their special needs and responsibilities.
Maternity Leave for Surrogate and Commissioning Mothers
The government has also extended maternity benefits to women opting for surrogacy:
- Surrogate mothers will be entitled to 180 days of maternity leave.
- Commissioning mothers (intended mothers) will be granted 90 days of maternity leave.
- This marks a progressive step toward inclusive maternity policies.
- Relief for Specially Abled Pension Beneficiaries
In a major relief measure, specially abled children receiving family pensions will no longer be required to submit a permanent disability certificate every three years.
They will now need to submit the certificate only once, easing administrative burden on families.
Digital Reform in Pension System
To simplify pension procedures, the government will introduce a mobile application enabling pensioners to submit their annual life certificates using face authentication technology.
This move is expected to reduce paperwork, improve convenience, and ensure timely pension disbursement.
Focus on Administrative Efficiency and Social Security
The Rajasthan government’s latest budget measures reflect a dual focus:
- Strengthening governance through professional development and global exposure
- Expanding social security and welfare benefits for employees, women, pensioners, and dependents
These reforms are expected to significantly boost morale within the state bureaucracy while providing greater financial and social stability to government employees and their families.
