New Delhi, Feb 3: Central Government employees are expected receive their hiked allowances from the month of April. National Joint Council of Action (NJCA), which has been raising the demands of central government employees before Committee of Secretaries, claims that Centre would implement the hike by April 1. However, NJCA convenor Shiv Gopal Mishra has confirmed that a protest would be launched if arrears are not provided on hiked allowances.

“Government is expected to hike the allowances from April 1. We have demanded them to provide the arrears as well. The total amount pending from January 1, 2016 should be given to the employees. But we are not sure whether they would release the arrears as well.” Shiv Gopal Mishra said while speaking to India.com. “Arrears are unlikely, but protests would be launched if they fail to release (the arrears),” he further added.

The date of implementation for 7th Pay Commission was fixed as January 1, 2016. The pay panel report of Justice (retd) AK Mathur was approved by Union Cabinet in first week of July. However, only the basic component of salary was hiked, as employee unions had raised several anomalies related to allowances.

Along with the hike in basic salaries, central government employees were also provided arrears for the months of January to June. Similarly, the employees are also seeking arrears on allowances from January 2016. However, the populist demand, if implemented, may adversely impact the exchequer.

NJCA also expressed disappointment against the Finance Minister for making no reference to central government employees during the Budget speech. “The speech of Finance Minister made no reference to central government employees. We were expecting Mr Jaitley to make some positive announcement, but all of us are upset,” Mishra said.

NJCA has also been spearheading the demand of revising minimum salary. Through the 7th Pay Commission, the minimum pay was hiked from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000. However, the Joint Council (staff side) has reiterated that the minimum salary should be revised to Rs 26,000.

Implementation of 7th Pay Commission directly impacts nearly 47 lakh central government employees and 53 lakh pensioners. The total hike approved by Centre was 23.4 per cent. However, the actual hike realised so far by the employees is 14.3 per cent, which is related only to their basic pay. The remaining portion of the hike would be realised upon the hike in allowances.