Dibya Kamal Bordoloi
Guwahati: Assam government employees will get paid leave for 7 days to spend time with old parents. Chief minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma announced it today. Speaking at the old age home inauguration ceremony at Sonapur near Guwahati on the occasion of completion of 100 days of the BJP government, Dr. Sarma said, no state or country can achieve development neglecting the elderly citizens.
He stated that starting from chief minister, ministers, chief secretary to the lower level employee will go on a 7 days paid leave to spend time with parents. Within these days the employee can take their parents to religious places or on a vacation. They may even choose to spend the time at home also.
Dr Sarma said,”Ministers, chief secretary, officers, employees all will spend 7days with parents every year. I will also take a 7 day break and spend time with my old mother. I have never seen a man or woman fail in life who have their parents’ blessings with them. I am telling this from my personal experience. These 7 days will rejuvenate us to do good works in life, like we do after visiting Maa Kamakhya Mandir or Batadrava Sattra.” He further stated that he will urge the private or corporate offices in the state to do the same.
It should be mentioned that Assam has already enacted a law to cut 20 percent of the salary of government employees who don’t look after the elderly parents. The deducted money is deposited in their parents account. Dr. Sarma earlier said that the government will regulate the old age home in the state, so that people don’t get encouraged to leave their parents at these selter homes. He also launched a helpline number 14567 for the elderly people of the state.
