The Maharashtra government has decided to increase the festival advance of non-gazetted employees to Rs 10,000. This change follows guidelines issued the central government. Earlier, the advance amount was Rs 5,000.

It will cover nine major festivals - Diwali, Ramzan Id, Christmas, Parsi New Year, Rosh Hoshnaa (Jewish new year), Buddha Jayanti, Independence Day, Republic Day and Sanvatsari (last day of Jain's 'Paryushan). non-gazetted state government employees having pay band of Rs 4,800 or less will get this benefit.

"Non-gazetted state government employees will now get festival advance of Rs 10,000 for nine major festivals. The limit earlier was Rs 5,000. Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has taken this decision keeping the guidelines of the Central government in mind," an official from the state finance department said.

A Government Resolution (GR) in this regard has also been issued by the finance department.