Govt decides to release final installment of pay arrears

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the festival season, the government on Tuesday decided to release the second and last installment of salary arrears to

government servants numbering about 50 lakh which will put a burden of over Rs 17,500 crore on the exchequer. Pensioners will also get their final installment of arrears. Remaining 60% of the total arrears have to be paid as the government implemented the new pay scales with effect from January 1, 2006 after the 6th Pay Commission report was approved by the Cabinet with modifications. The first installment of 40% of the total arrears were paid during the last fiscal. "It has now been decided that the remaining 60% of the arrears may now be paid to the concerned government servants," said a finance ministry's office memorandum. The memorandum is, however, silent on the date for payment of the final installment of arrears. According to the government calculations, the total arrears are estimated to cost Rs 29,373 crore to the government kitty. The memorandum further said that the government servants are encouraged to deposit their arrears in general provident fund (GPF) account. "As in the case of the first installment of the arrears, government servants would be permitted to deposit their arrears in their GPF accounts," the memorandum said.

Payment of second installment of arrears (60%)

Payment of second installment of arrears (60%)

5% Dearness Allowance is expected for Central Govt. Employees w.e.f. 1st July 2009

Central Govt. employees and pensioners may expect a hefty rise of 5% in D.A. with effect from today, the 1st July 2009. According to the statistics of Labour Bureau, Govt. of India, All India Consumer Price Index No. has climbed up to 151 points in May 2009 in comparison to 147 in December 2008. With this expected rise, the total Dearness Allowance will be 27% w.e.f. 01.07.2009. It may be mentioned that the rise in Dearness Allowance effects Transport Allowance also as per the Sixth Pay Commission for the Central Govt. Employees.
Calculation is based on All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Worker based on
[Base Year 2001 = 100]

6th Pay Commission unfavourable: railway station masters

New Delhi, Feb 19 (PTI) Describing the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations as "unfavourable" for them, hundreds of station masters of the Indian Railways today demonstrated here seeking better pay package and saying they fall in the "core and cardinal category" of railway operations."The commission, in our opinion, has missed to take note of the hazardous nature of our duty. It has simply equated the station masters with the senior clerks," said secretary general of All India Station Masters' Association, U John Vincent Kumar, in a release.He raised concern that low pay package will keep the bright minds away from the vital job which requires multi-skilled duties.At present, there are about 34,000 station masters engaged across the country, responsible for ensuring traffic signal and smooth running of trains among others.While demanding revision of pay bands, Kumar further sought for risk allowance as applicable to other staff connected with train movement. PTI