``The State Cabinet has decided to award the bonus on lines of the Union Government decision, which is either 30 days' salary or Rs 2,500. This will benefit 17.77 lakh employees and will cost the State exchequer Rs 388 crore,'' he said.

``Bonus will also be paid to employees of municipal corporations, municipal councils, zilla parishads, Government-aided primary and secondary schools, agricultural and non-agricultural universities and affiliated colleges state-wide. Employees of the Government undertakings to whom the Bonus Act 1965 applies, will also get the same amount as bonus. The establishments to whom this act does not apply are also directed to pay the bonus to their employees,'' Joshi said.

The Chief Minister added that Dearness Allowance being paid to StateGovernment employees will also be increased with retrospective effect from July 1, 1998. This will benefit 19.70 lakh employees in all and will cost the State exchequer Rs 408 crore. The Government has also decided to hike the DA being paid to retired employees, Joshi said.