GUWAHATI: The Assam government has unveiled a series of welfare measures for state government employees in the Budget 2025-26, including pension reforms, healthcare benefits, salary incentives, and financial assistance for housing and solar energy adoption.
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Key Announcements:
-Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS): The government will consider restoring the OPS for regular employees whose recruitment process began before February 1, 2005, in line with the guidelines of the Government of India.
-Unified Pension Scheme (UPS): Employees under the National Pension System (NPS) will have the option to shift to the Unified Pension Scheme, benefiting an initial 2.8 lakh employees, while those preferring NPS can continue.
-Healthcare Benefits (AA-MMLSAY): The Ayushman Asom – Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana will offer cashless medical treatment at CGHS rates in state medical colleges, Assam Cancer Care centres, and B. Barooah Cancer Institute. Coverage will also extend to PSU employees, muster roll workers, fixed-pay employees, and contractual staff up to 60 years of service.
-Honorarium Hike for Frontline Workers: Acknowledging the contributions of ASHA workers, PM POSHAN cooks, Anganwadi workers, and helpers, the government will revise their honorarium/state incentives from October 1, 2025, along with a one-time grant.
-House Rent Allowance (HRA): Muster roll and work-charged employees receiving fixed pay will now be eligible for 50% of the applicable HRA.
-Solar Energy Incentives: To encourage adoption of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, government employees will receive a cash subsidy of ₹2,000 per kW (up to ₹6,000 for 3 kW) for installing rooftop solar panels. The first 50,000 employees will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
-Apon Ghar & Apon Bahan Schemes: The interest subvention benefit under Apon Ghar (housing loans) and Apon Bahan (vehicle loans) will continue in FY 2025-26. These schemes have already benefited 40,054 employees under Apon Ghar and 3,190 under Apon Bahan, and will now be extended to regular PSU employees and contractual staff up to 60 years.
-Zero-Cost Insurance Coverage: Contractual and PSU employees receiving salaries through scheduled commercial banks will now be covered under Zero-Cost Accident and Death Insurance.
