DTC sanctions 100% DA, applies 7th pay directions

New Delhi, June 25

In a big relief to around its 16,000 pensioners, DTC today sanctioned 100 per cent hike in their dearness allowance (DA) applicable from July 2014 and implementated the recommendation of Seventh Central Pay Commission with effect from January 1, 2016 along with the arrears.

The move will involve an expenditure of Rs 232 crore, said Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot who chaired the meeting. The board also nodded for the procurement of 500 additional low-floor buses, including 80 per cent non-air-conditioned and 20 per cent air-conditioned buses for the capital. It also agreed for extension of student concessional bus pass facilities to all the bonafide institutes in Delhi as per the provision of Section 5 of DTC (Free & Concessional Passes) Regulations, 1985, thus benefitting students of educational institutions set-up after 2002 too. "It was a long pending demand of 16,000 pensioners of the public bus operator," added an official.

The meeting was attended by top officials: Managing Director DTC, Principal Secretaries (Finance and Land and Building) and Commissioner (Transport) of the Delhi government. — TNS