Hindu Administrative Institutions c9.s5.46

c9.s5.46

There was a wonderful arrangement of sick leave. Ordinarily a man who had served for five years was entitled to three months’ leave with three-fourth wages, and six months if the disease was of a serious nature.¹ Full wages were given to all in the case of a week’s sick leave. If leave were taken for a year and more, a substitute was appointed, and in the case of the highly qualified, half the pay was given for the whole period.² Generally one-eighth of the pay was allowed as reward every year. This perhaps refers to the annual increments for the staff. There were in vogue both the systems of provident fund and pension for service. He was entitled to half-pension who would retire from service at the age of forty. This was not only for life but continued even after the servant’s death, provided his son was a minor and incapable of earning his livelihood; and in the absence of a son to his wife and well-behaved daughters.³ No further testimony is required to indicate that ancient Hindu administration was run on humane and yet efficient lines. The state offered to help the helpless, and the needy in times of need. This solved one of the very important social and economic problems. The state found employment for the unemployed and provided for the incapable. This social activity on the part of the state kept out many of the economic ills of modern days. These very important rules and regulations of pay, discipline, leave, allowances and pension testify to a state of highly developed administration, to the perfection of which ancient political thinkers and theorists contributed not a little.