7th pay commission: Big blow to central government employees

Categories: NEW SCHEMES

                           7th pay commission: Central government employees who have been eagerly waiting for the 18 months Dearness Allowance (DA) arrear might be hearing a bad news, if media reports are to be believed.As per media reports, the government does not seem to be committing for the payments of 18-months DA arrears to the central employees. The Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief of Central government employees and pensioners were restored to 31% from 17% from October 2021, however the arrears have not been deposited as yet.

                          The bad news has been estimated based on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's statement that she issued last year. The FM said that due to the spread of Covid-19 in the country, dearness allowance of these employees was stopped, so that the government could use the money to help the poor and needy.

                         The above speculation is also coupled with media reports previously citing Shiv Gopal Mishra, Secretary (Staff Side) of the National Council of JCM. He had said that the council has placed itsdemand before the government however both sides could not arrive at any conclusion as yet. 

                        Media reports further said that talks have been held with the Cabinet Secretary, which still remains inconclusive. The Labour union has been constantly pressing demands for a one time settlement of dearness allowance arrears. According to the annual report of the Department of Expenditure, there are a total of 48 lakh central employees in the country and about 60 lakh pensioners.