Union leaders to meet Arun Jaitley, an announcement on allowances expected today

Around 47 lakh Central Government employees are eagerly waiting for a final decision on higher allowances under the 7th Pay Commission.

New Delhi, May 15: On Tuesday a delegation of Union leaders of central government employees are expected to meet Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and will seek an update on allowances on 7th Pay Commission, NDTV reported. After the meeting, the report further suggests that a major announcement on allowances is expected tomorrow. Almost 20 days have been passed, as the Committee on Allowance headed by Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa submitted its final report to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The committee also had Secretaries of Home Affairs, Defence, Personal & Training, Health and Family Welfare, Post and Chairman, Railway Board as Members and Joint Secretary (Implementation Cell) as Member Secretary.

In some allowances the Ashok Lavasa committee has suggested some modifications that are applicable universally to all employees as well as certain other allowances which apply to specific employee categories, the finance ministry said in a statement. As the report has been submitted it will now be screened by an Empowered Committee of Secretaries (E-CoS) which will look into the recommendations of both – Lavasa committee findings and 7th Pay Commission recommendations. Once the screening process in completed by the Empowered Committee it the report will be then kept in front of Union Cabinet for final approval.