(Repeating, correcting name of sub-divisions in para two)

Chandigarh, Oct 27 (UNI) The Punjab Cabinet today approved the creation of Barnala as the 20th district of the state.

The new district of Barnala would comprise two sub-divisions Raikot and Tappa rpt Tappa, consisting of 207 villages, with 17 Kanungo circles and 170 Patwar circles, a spokesman for the Punjab government here said.

The demand regarding the up-gradate of Barnala sub-division to a district was considered by the state level re-organisation committee and recommended that Barnala be created as a new district, as had been the district headquarters in the Erstwhile Pepsu State.

The cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, also gave approval to the career progression scheme for the state employees, according to which, the employees would now be given promotions after four, nine and 14 years of service tenure.

The scheme would be implemented with effect from November 1, 2006. A financial liability on this account would be about Rs 200 crore per annum.

Likewise, the Council of Ministers also approved to grant Interim Relief to the employees/pensioners at the rate of five per cent on pay/pension with effect from November 1, 2006.

The financial liability on allowing this five per cent interim relief would be be about Rs 300 crore per annum, the spokesman said.

The amount would be finally absorbed in the pay revision allowed by the state government on the recommendations of the 5th Punjab Pay Commission.

The Council of Ministers also approved to enhance the fixed medical allowance of the government employees/pensioners for outdoor treatment with effect from November 1, 2006 by Rs 100 per month.

About five lakh government employees and pensioners are likely to benefit by this decision and the total financial implication in this regard would involve Rs 60 crore per annum.

UNI PS RL HT2005