The government has approved additional allowance for its employees working in remote locations such as ‘hoar, island or char upazilas.
The government has taken the decision to encourage the government officials appointed in the isolated areas after receiving a good number of complaints that they remain absent and irregular in their workplaces.
The officials argue that they don’t get any additional allowance for attending the office in time though they live in distance areas rich in healty environment.
An official will get a maximum Tk 5,000 and minimum Tk 1,650 as allowance every month for working in the isolated areas.
The government will fix the allowance through the local government offices after calculating the distance and other matters, the Ministry of Finance sources said.
An official wishing anonymity told The New Nation on Sunday that the government took the decision to ensure the presence of the government officials in their workplaces.
“The officials will be brought under strong observation. At the same time, stern action will be taken against those officials who will not be present in their office in time everyday,” he said.
The Ministry of Finance issued a directive after fixing the allowances according to the National Pay Scale 2015 on Sunday. The allowances have been shown effective from May 5.
Itna, Mithamoin, and Austagram in Kishoreganj; Sandwip in Chattogram; Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar; Hatia in Noakhali; Chauhali in Sirajganj; Rowmari and Char Rajibpur in Kurigram; Rangabali in Patuakhali; Monpura in Bhola; Dharmapasha, Shalla, and Dowarabazar in Sunamganj; Ajmiriganj in Habiganj; and Khaliajuri in Netrakona are the newly-declared 16 remote upazilas.
The cabinet had issued a directive to the Ministry of Public Administration and the Finance Division on March 7, introducing the allowances for government employees working in 16 remote upazilas.
According to the present pay scale, all government employees working in upazilas of the hill tracts receive a maximum of Tk 5,000 in special allowances.
