Latest Update on 7th Pay Commission: A recent announcement sheds light on the potential release of 18 months' worth of Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears for central government employees and pensioners. These pending dues span from January 2020 to June 2021 and could result in a significant salary increase for employees if approved. Mukesh Singh, the General Secretary of Bharatiya Immunity Mazdoor Sangh, has penned a letter to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging the return of allowances withheld from government employees and retirees during the pandemic. Singh emphasized the crucial role played by these individuals during the COVID-19 crisis in supporting the country's efforts.
The proposal, dated January 25, delves into detailed discussions regarding the arrears of Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and pensioners. These arrears encompass an 18-month period during which DA and Dearness Relief (DR) payments were suspended due to financial stress amid the pandemic.
In the proposal, Mukesh Singh highlights the significant contributions of government employees and pensioners during challenging times, emphasizing their dedication and hard work in ensuring the smooth functioning of essential services. He requests the release of the three installments that were halted during the COVID-19 pandemic in the upcoming budget.
While Minister of State in the Finance Ministry, Pankaj Choudhary, previously indicated that paying the dues from the challenging financial year 2020-21 was not deemed feasible due to economic challenges, the proposal now seeks reconsideration.
Currently, the Central Government provides a 46 percent dearness allowance to employees and pensioners under the 7th Pay Commission. Speculation suggests a potential 4% DA hike after January, which would increase the dearness allowance for pensioners and employees to 50 percent if approved.
