Thiruvananthapuram: In a major relief for government employees, Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal has announced special Onam bonus on Friday. 

The employees are set to receive a bonus of Rs 4,000. The minister also announced that those not eligible for the bonus will be given a special festival allowance of Rs 2,750.

Service pensioners will be granted a special festival allowance of Rs 1,000. Retired employees under the contributory pension scheme will also receive the special festival allowance.

All government employees in the state will be eligible for an Onam advance of Rs 20,000. Part-time and contingent employees will receive an advance of Rs 6,000. 

Employees across all categories, including contract and scheme workers who received the festival allowance last year, will continue to receive it at the same rate this year as well.

Over 13 lakh employees and workers will benefit from this special Onam assistance. Despite the financial difficulties the state is facing due to central government policies, the government has decided not to reduce the Onam benefits for employees. All allowances provided last year will be available again this time.