Guwahati, July 27, 2023: In a groundbreaking move aimed at supporting both women and men in Sikkim who are planning to start a family, the Prem Singh Tamang government has unveiled a progressive decision. In a recent address at the annual general meeting of the Sikkim State Civil Service Officers’ Association (SSCSOA) in Gangtok, Chief Minister Tamang proudly announced the extension of maternity and paternity leave for government employees.
Under the new reforms, female government employees will now be entitled to an extended maternity leave of 12 months, allowing them more time to care for their newborns and nurture their families. This move represents a significant improvement from the previous Maternity Benefit Act of 1961, which offered only six months of paid maternity leave for the first two children and three months for subsequent children.
But the good news doesn’t end there. In an exceptional move towards gender equality, the government will also provide male employees with a one-month paternity leave. This step acknowledges the essential role fathers play in the early stages of their children’s lives and aims to foster a more balanced approach to parental responsibilities.
Chief Minister Tamang emphasized that these changes will be incorporated into the service rules, ensuring that all eligible employees can avail of these benefits without any hassle. This move is expected to create a more family-friendly work environment, enabling government officers to devote quality time to their children and loved ones while continuing to serve the state of Sikkim.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Tamang commended the state’s civil service officers, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the growth and development of Sikkim and its people. He also highlighted the government’s efforts to streamline the promotion process for these officers, resulting in a surge in the number of well-deserved promotions.
Sikkim, known for its breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, has the distinction of having the lowest population in India, with approximately 6.32 lakh inhabitants. In light of this demographic reality and to support the indigenous communities, the state government previously introduced an incentive scheme. The scheme grants advance and additional increments to government employees with two or three children, encouraging population growth among the state’s native communities.
The official notification, released in May earlier this year, clarified that employees with the Sikkim Subject Certificate or Certificate of Identification would be eligible for one advanced increment if they have two surviving children. For employees with three surviving children, they would receive one additional increment. Notably, any of the spouses can claim the advance increment based on mutual understanding.
With these transformative measures in place, Sikkim stands at the forefront of family-friendly policies, fostering an environment where both women and men can balance their professional and parental responsibilities with ease. As this progressive step takes effect from January 1, 2023, the state anticipates positive outcomes in terms of population growth and overall well-being of its citizens.
