India, Feb. 10 -- Patiala

In a relief to contractual employees working under Punjab's district de-addiction centres and rehabilitation societies, the state government on Monday suspended its earlier decision to recover the state development tax (SDT) retrospectively.

Last week, the health department had issued directions for the recovery of the SDT at the rate of Rs.200 per month with retrospective effect. However, following objections raised by employee unions, the health and family welfare department has now directed all civil surgeons that no retrospective deduction shall be made from the salaries or remuneration of staff engaged at drug de-addiction centres and rehabilitation societies.

According to an official communication issued...