New Delhi, March 27: The member of Higher Allowance Committee for 7th Pay Commission and employee representative unions are likely to hold a meeting on Tuesday afternoon after which a major announcement is expected, a report said. National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) convenor Shiv Gopal Mishra who was quoted by NDTV said, employee representatives are likely to hold another round of a meeting with Ashok Lavasa committee, which is looking into 7th Pay Commission allowances. The NJCA is a joint body of unions representing central government employees have been raising the issue on higher allowances and of the minimum wage since June. As it is expected, after the committee will most probably submit its reports after holding a discussion with NJCA members, Shiv Gopal Mishra was quoted by NDTV.
Earlier this month, the Finance Ministry had clarified that the allowance committee on 7th Pay Commission had not submitted its final conclusive report. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Finance said that the government will decide on the implementation on 7th Pay Commission allowances after the reports are submitted by the committee.
The NJCA have demanded basic salary to be hiked from Rs 16,000 to Rs 25,000 per month and with regard to allowances, the employee’s unions have demanded HRA (House Rent Allowance) at the rate of 30 per cent, 20 per cent and 10 per cent. Whereas the 7th Pay Commission had recommended the HRA to be paid at the rate of 24 per cent, 16 per cent and 8 per cent of the new basic pay, depending upon the type of cities.
Last year in June, the Union Government had accepted the recommendation made by 7th Pay Commission committee headed by Justice AK Mathur in respect of the hike in basic pay and pension. But the suggestions relating to allowances were referred to Ashok Lavasa committee.
In last one year, the 7th Pay Commission had examined a total of 196 existing allowances and, by way of rationalisation, recommended the abolition of 51 allowances and subsuming of 37 allowances.
The high-powered committee headed by Justice AK Mathur had also recommended that the rate of HRA to be revised to 27 per cent, 18 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively when the DA (Dearness Allowance) crosses 50 per cent and if the DA crosses 100 per cent then the HRA must be revised to 30 per cent, 20 per cent and 10 per cent.
In next few days, the NJCA are also likely to hold further rounds of discussions with another panel that is looking into NPS (National Pension Scheme).
Meanwhile Samajwadi Party leader and Rajya Sabha member Naresh Chandra Agrawal today stressed on the implementation of 7th Pay Commission at the Upper House and said, “Government should act fast on allowances and pension pending to be hired as per 7th Pay commission”.
Since last 18 months, more than 56 lakh central government employees and 46 lakh pensioners have been eagerly waiting for the pay hike.
