Maharashtra Government to disburse 25% of 7th pay commission arrears soon

Instead of waiting till Diwali to disburse the Rs 21,000 crore seventh pay commission arrears to all 17 lakh government employees, the state government will be disbursing Rs 5,000 crore of the amount to employees before Ganeshotsav.

Government employees will receive the advance in four categories. Class four employees will receive Rs 25,000 and the other three categories will receive Rs 50,000, 75,000, and Rs 1 lakh, as per their designation. It would enable the employees to reduce the burden of additional expenditure due to ensuing festivities like Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali. The announcement is likely to be made and the amount released anytime during this week or the one after it.

Sources within the Finance Department informed DNA that the government took this decision since disbursing the entire amount right before Diwali would not ease the burden on the employees, as most of the festivities are over by then. Government employees make all necessary purchases including additional food-grains and clothes and ornaments in the time preceding Diwali.

There are 17 lakh employees at the moment while 2 lakh posts are vacant. Finance Department sources informed that they would pay 25 per cent of the seventh pay commission dues. Sources also informed that by releasing this money, the government would be at an advantage, since at least 25 per cent of the money would be spent by employees during festivities, which, in a way, would add to the state's exchequer through GST. The markets would get a boost too with Rs 5,000 crore expendable income available with the consumers.

MONEY MATTERS

• Finance Department sources said they would pay 25% of the 7th Pay Commission dues to 17 lakh government employees.
   
• The state government will be disbursing Rs 5,000 crore of the amount to employees before Ganeshotsav.