New Delhi, Oct 12 (TIWN) Coming festive season government employees will receive interest-free advance of Rs 10,000 each that will help generate demand worth Rs 8,000 crore in the Covid affected economy. Employees will get pre-loaded Rupay Card of the advance value, which they would have to spend by March 31, 2021.

The scheme has been announced as part of plans to increase consumer spending to spur demand in the economy which has suffered a blow from the pandemic. Finance Sitharaman said that the festival advance was discontinued from 6th Pay Commission for central government employees. But as a one-time measure, an interest-free advance will be given to all officers and employees of the central government.