Nod to 5% interim relief for govt staff

Amaninder Pal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 15

Bringing cheer to over six lakh state government employees and pensioners, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has permitted the state government to grant 5 per cent interim relief to its employees and pensioners.

If the state government decides to immediately grant interim relief to beneficiaries, it will put an additional burden of around Rs 1,300 crore per annum on the already cash-strapped state.

As the state government can’t take any decision amounting to extend financial benefits due to enforcement of the model code of conduct, the state government had sought EC’s permission for grant of interim relief.

Sources revealed that the approval was sought a few days before the state Assembly elections, which were held on February 4.

The state government had decided to grant interim relief as the Sixth Pay Commission of the state government has yet not revised scales for employees and pensioners.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, today conveyed the approval to the Secretary, Expenditure, Finance Department.

Satish Chandra, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), said, the total salary and pension bill of the state government was Rs 2,300 crore approximately per month. Interim relief would be 5 per cent over and above of this amount, he added. This means that grant of interim relief will put an additional burden of Rs 115 crore per month approximately on state coffers.