Chief Minister O Panneerselvam today announced Pongal bonus for State government employees, teachers and pensioners.

In a statement here, he announced Rs 325.20 crore in Pongal bonus.

He said Group C and Group D employees will get bonus up to Rs 3,000. Group A and Group B employees, as well as teachers, who have worked for more than 240 days, will get Rs 1,000 as special salary. Pensioners and family pensioners will get Rs 500 as bonus.

Those who worked part time or full time for a minimum period of 240 days or more in the fiscal year, with a monthly pay, and staff members on consolidated pay, noon meal employees, anganwadi staffs, village assistants, panchayat assistants of rural development department, contract labourers, temporary staffs, daily wagers and those whose services have been regularised after daily wages will get a special bonus of Rs 1,000.

Those working for local bodies and government-aided educational institutions, teachers and those getting monthly pay under UGC/All India Technical Council for Technical Education/Indian Council of Agricultural Research would also be given a bonus of Rs 1,000.

He recalled that former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran introduced the bonus for government staff and teachers in 1985, changing the trend of only factory workers being eligible for such benefits.

He also said former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa introduced many schemes for the benefit of government employees and teachers.