The Central-Government employees are optimistic about receiving the over and above 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) pay hike before the elections. There are 48.31 lakh Central-Government employees and 62.03 lakh pensioners. Considering that many states are headed for polls in the next two months, and the General Election 2019 is not far away, no government will want to displease such a significant vote bank.
Just in time for the festive season, the Odisha Government has announced an increment in dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) for pensioners, which have jumped to nine per cent from seven per cent. The two per cent hike will be applicable with effect from July 1, 2018. Teachers and staff of fully-aided private colleges will also receive the increment.
While pay hikes have been announced by the state governments for their employees, the Central Government is yet to make a similar announcement for their staff, even though it has cleared DA and DR for them.
Needless to say, the Central Government is feeling the pressure to consider the demand for increment from its employees. They are presently earning as per the fitment factor of 2.57 times— in accordance with the recommendation of the 7th CPC— whereas their demand is for a hike as per the fitment factor of 3.68 times, according to which the minimum salary will be Rs 26,000.
