Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: There is news that the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) will decide on the hike in the minimum pay of the Central government employees later this month. However, the government employees are still in dark and ambiguous about the intention of the Narendra Modi-led Central government related to the hike.
As per reports, the NAC will take a final call on further raising the minimum pay as recommended by the 7th Pay Commission this month, after a meeting of its members. However, the hike is likely to be restricted to around 17% of the Central government employees’ present salary.
The reason behind the expected slash of around 28% hike in minimum pay as against the demanded 45% hike by the Central government employees is believed to be due to the recent decline in the country’s GDP growth estimation.
Besides the plunge in the growth projection of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government seems to be worried about a possible rise in inflation if it will increase the minimum pay by 45% and give arrears on the hiked pay too, believes financial experts.
It is worth mentioning that the employees have been demanding 45% hike and they believe that a mere 17% hike will not serve their purpose.
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“I am not at all worried about the hike in minimum pay as it will have no impact on my financial position. The 7th Pay Commission has widened the pay gap further and in such case, at least, the lower grade employees are going to get any benefit,” said a Central government employee.
A retired Bhubaneswar-based Indian Railways employee believes that the government is exerting all the burden of fall in GDP on the employees. He also added that the Central government employees should not be a victim of a government’s incompetency in handling the financial situation.
“We are looking into the issue. The government is not neglecting any employee but all these things have greater impact on the entire financial situation of a country, especially for a huge country like India. A decision in this regard will be taken soon and in the very interest of the employees,” said a senior BJP leader.