Kolkata, Sep 11 (IANS): In a bonanza for West Bengal government employees, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced a new pay commission and a 10 percent dearness allowance hike among other benefits.

"We will form a new pay commission from October and its recommendations will remain in force," Banerjee also the Trinamool Congress supremo, said at a convention of state government employees.

She said a group of ministers headed by state Finance Minister Amit Mitra would be set up for the purpose.

Besides, the 10 percent DA hike, state government employees will get Leave Travel Concession (LTC) every ten years and can travel to countries like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Bangladesh among others.

"Our government has decided to widen the benefit of home travel concession. You will get benefit every five years," she said.

Even as she slammed the opposition Left Front for resorting to strikes and shutdowns, Banerjee announced a "compensatory casual leave" for all employees who attended office on September 2 - the day when central trade union had called a nationwide strike.

"On the day of the bandh, the attendance was higher than normal days and I salute my employees for that. They will get a compensatory casual leave while those who did not attend will be penalised," she said.