Arunachal CM Pema Khandu signs first file, extends maternity and childcare benefits for contractual staff

The first file signed by Khandu after assuming office deals with providing 180 days of maternity benefit and 60 days of the child care leave to all women contract and contingency staff.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu began his second innings in the office with a decision to extend maternity and childcare benefits to contingency and contractual staff working in state government departments.

Earlier the benefits were available only to regular state government employees. The move will benefit over 20,000 female contingency and contractual employees in various departments. The first file signed by Khandu after assuming office deals with providing 180 days of maternity benefit and 60 days of the child care leave to all women contract and contingency staff. Khandu took oath on Wednesday after the BJP recorded its first electoral victory in the state by winning 41 of the 60 seats in the state assembly.

Earlier on the day, the chief minister was accorded a red carpet reception at Civil Secretariat by Chief Secretary Satya Gopal, Commissioners and Secretaries and CMO staff on his first-day office after being sworn in as Chief Minister for the second consecutive term. The ITBP stationed at the Civil Secretariat gave him a splendid guard of honour with Rashtriya Salute. Khandu was then accorded a traditional welcome at the CM's office by CMO staff led by CM's Secretary Sonam Chombay.

The monks chanted prayers and did the rituals while others greeted Khandu with traditional scarves and flowers. Khandu's better half, Tsering Dolma accompanied him during the traditional ceremony.