7th Pay Commission: Update on allowances likely to be announced today

New Delhi: The ongoing curiosity related to allowances recommended by the Ashok Lavasa Committee might be laid to rest today as some Union leaders of central government officials may meet top government officials

As per a report in the NDTV, the Union leaders may meet top government officials later in the day and are likely to seek an update on the 7th pay commission allowances.

The Lavasa Committee, had on April 28, suggested modifications in some allowances applicable universally to all employees and also for those in specific categories, including railways and defence, after examining the 7th Pay Commission recommendations.

Last month, the Union Cabinet approved important proposals relating to modifications in the 7th CPC (Central Pay Commission) recommendations on pay and pensionary benefits in the course of their implementation.

The benefit of the proposed modifications will be available with effect from 1st January, 2016, i.e., the date of implementation of 7th CPC recommendations. With the increase approved by the Cabinet, the annual pension bill alone of the Central Government is likely to be Rs 1,76,071 crore.

There are about 47 lakh central government employees.

While recommendations of the CPC on pay and pension were implemented with the approval of the Cabinet, allowances continued to be paid at old rates.

The CPC had recommended that of a total of 196 allowances, 52 be abolished altogether and 36 be abolished as separate identities by subsuming them in another allowance.