In a cheer to its employees, the Gujarat Government on Tuesday approved implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission for over its eight lakh employees and pensioners.
To be implemented retrospectively from January 1, 2016, the decision would put a financial burden of over Rs 8,501 crore on the State Government. Of this Rs 2,258 crore would be paid as arrears for seven months and Rs 1,361 crore as arrears to pensioners.
"As per the Cabinet decision taken on Tuesday, all Government employees, pensioners and employees of grant-in-aid organisations will get benefit of the Seventh Pay Commission by month-end," Nitin Patel, Deputy Chief Minister told the media.
Talking of the seven allowances on which the Central Government is yet to take a decision, Patel said that it would be done post report of committee of secretaries led by chief secretary once the Union Government finalises it. It would later be put before the Cabinet after due procedure and a decision on the allowances would be taken later accordingly.
Notably, it was former Chief Minister Anandiben Patel who had on July 31, couple of days before she made her intent to quit public, had announced the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission in the State from August 1. This has now been formalised by the Vijay Rupani Government in the State.
The Centre had on July 25 notified the implementation of 7th Pay Commission for Central Government employees from January 1, wherein the employees would get a hike of 14.60 per cent to 25 per cent in their salaries.