The Tripura government has withdrawn the 31 October, 2023 deadline for exercising the option for pay fixation under the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme. The decision is expected to provide relief to government employees and teachers who were unable to exercise the option within the prescribed period.
The issue had been raised by the Tripura Government Employees’ Association, which challenged the deadline before the Tripura High Court. The association argued that eligible employees should not lose financial benefits simply because they missed an administrative deadline.
The matter stems from a Finance Department memorandum issued on 30 September, 2023. The memorandum allowed eligible employees to opt for MACP-related pay fixation on their Date of Next Increment (DNI). However, it required the option to be exercised by 31 October, 2023.
The deadline became contentious after employees in several departments reportedly found themselves unable to claim the benefit despite otherwise meeting the eligibility conditions. The association also raised concerns about differences in pay fixation between senior and junior employees.
MACP provides financial progression to government employees who remain in the same position for extended periods because of limited promotional opportunities.
The timing of the financial upgradation can affect an employee’s DNI and, consequently, subsequent pay fixation.
The association pursued the matter through writ petition WP(C) 559/2025 before the Tripura High Court. Asish Chowdhury, general secretary, Sukumar Debnath, former Kamalpur division secretary and Mintu Chandra De, co-president, Belonia division were among those involved in taking up the issue.
Following the legal challenge, the Finance Department issued a fresh memorandum withdrawing the 31 October, 2023 cut-off condition.
The change means eligible employees will not be excluded from consideration solely because they failed to exercise the MACP option by the earlier deadline.
The move could also help resolve pay-fixation discrepancies linked to the DNI and provide financial relief to affected government staff and teachers.
