The central government employees have been complaining about an
inordinate delay on an announcement regarding allowances. However
government sources say that the process would speed up following the
meeting with Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley on June.
The Ashok Lavasa committee has taken a favourable view on sticking
points such as House Rent Allowance. The 7th Pay Commission had given
its recommendation of reducing the HRA for Central Government employees,
depending upon the type of cities they live in. For those living in
metro cities, the Pay Panel suggested bringing down the HRA from 30 per
cent to 24 per cent. it also suggested reducing the HRA for Central
Government employees living in villages.
Most demands will be accepted
During a meeting of the National Joint Council Chief Shiv Gopal Mishra
and the Cabinet Secretary it was informed that the demands would be
reviewed. Mishra was informed that all the demands would be reviewed. An
assurance that all the demands would be accepted was also made.
On arrears
The NJCA has raised doubts on whether the demands on arrears on higher
allowances will be accepted by the government. There would be further
discussions on this. Sources indicate that the central government
employees may have to wait a few weeks more for a proper update on the
same.
Anguish, grief and frustration
After the meeting the Cabinet Secretary, P K Sinha assured that the
Empowered Committee of Secretaries (E-CoS) will go through the Ashok
Lavasa report. The NJCA chief also gave a letter on inordinate delay in
implementation of the report of the Ashok Lavasa-led Committee on
allowances.
The NJCA chief and several other expressed their anguish over various
pending demands such as minimum wages and revision of fitment formula.
The Committee on Allowance headed by Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa had
submitted its review report to Arun Jaitley last month.
What next on 7th Pay Commission allowances
The 7th Pay Commission was constituted in 2014 and it was implemented in
June 2016. The Cabinet Secretary has said that he has fixed June 1,
2017, for the perusal of the report of the Allowances Committee by the
ECoS. Soon after a memorandum will be sent to the Cabinet for
consideration. After the Ashok Lavasa committee submitted its report on
an allowance, the ECoS is expected to hold a discussion to look into the
demands on arrears and allowances and a demand of increase in minimum
wage.
