Big Announcement for WB Contractual Employees! New Finance Dept Notification, Who Will Get Benefits?

WB Contractual Employees: A highly significant update has emerged from the West Bengal Finance Department regarding the state’s contractual employees. Through Memo No. 4490-F(P2), issued from Nabanna on December 16, 2025, the government has cleared the air regarding the terms of service and benefits for thousands of temporary and contractual staff (WB Contractual Employees) working in various government departments. Signed by Additional Chief Secretary P. K. Mishra, this notification clarifies exactly which category of employees will receive the special benefits provided by the government and who will not.

Key Highlights of the Notification

For a long time, contractual employees in various state departments have been looking forward to regularization and salary increments. In 2011, through Memo No. 9008-F(P), the State Government granted ‘Security of Tenure’, annual increments, and retirement benefits to casual and contractual workers engaged before April 1, 2010. Subsequently, these benefits were enhanced through various notifications in 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2024. However, there was confusion regarding whether employees engaged at a later date would receive these benefits. The new notification addresses this specific issue.

Who Will Get the Benefits? Finance Department Clarifies

The Finance Department’s new guideline primarily distinguishes between two categories of employees. The details are as follows:

1. Those Who Will Receive Benefits:
The Finance Department has stated that even after the issuance of the 2011 Memo (9008-F(P)), the state government had permitted the engagement of contractual employees in certain cases. If the terms of engagement specifically mentioned that these employees were being engaged under the rules of 9008-F(P), they are entitled to all benefits.

• In this case, even if their tenure has not completed 5 or 10 years, they will still be covered under the enhanced remuneration and other benefits declared in 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2024 (such as Memo 1091-F(P2)).

2. Those Who Will Not Receive Benefits:
On the other hand, the Finance Department has, at various times, approved the engagement of contractual employees under completely different terms and remuneration structures for specific needs.

• Employees in this special category cannot claim benefits under 9008-F(P) or its subsequent amendments.
• Their service and salary will be governed strictly by the specific terms mentioned in their engagement letters.

Important Advice for Employees

This notification makes it crystal clear that not all contractual employees fall under the same umbrella of rules. If you are a contractual employee, please note the following to understand your status:

• Carefully examine your Engagement Letter.
• Check under which Memo or condition your engagement was made.
• You are eligible for the enhanced government benefits only if your engagement falls under 9008-F(P) or equivalent orders.

Departments requiring further interpretation have been advised to contact the Finance Department with specific files or cases. This notification is expected to resolve the long-standing confusion among the state’s contractual workforce.