7th Pay Commission News: Very good news for central employees and pensioners ahead of Holi. Central employees can get many gifts together ahead of Festival of colours. Central employees and pensioners are expected to get three gifts each this year. According to media reports, this includes increase in DA of employees, increase in fitment factor and payment of outstanding DA. In this, the countdown for the announcement of increase in dearness allowance has also started.

Holi gift for Central employees
The AICPI figures for December 2022, released by the Ministry of Labour, have fallen as compared to November. The figures of AICPI had increased continuously from July to November. But the AICPI figures have seen a slight decline in December. The December figure has fallen to 132.3 points as compared to November. In October and November, this figure was at 132.5 points. There it was 131.3 in September, 130.2 in August and 129.9 in July. After this, there is a possibility of 3 to 4 percent increase in dearness allowance.

There will be a big decision on DA hike in the cabinet on March 1, 2023
According to media reports, a final decision on the increase in dearness allowance may be taken in the cabinet meeting to be held on March 1, 2023. If this happens, from March 31, employees can get increased salary and pensioners can get increased pension. Not only this, the money for the months of January and February will come into the account along with the arrears.

DA may increase by up to 4 percent

The way the graph of inflation is increasing, it seems that in the new year, the dearness allowance (DA Hike) of central employees can be increased by 3 to 4 percent. Actually, the dearness allowance of central employees (7th Pay Commission) is reviewed every 6 months. Dearness allowance is hiked twice a year on the basis of AICPI figures. One hike takes place in January and the other in July. Like every year, in the year 2023 also there will be an increase in the dearness allowance of central employees.

Dearness Allowance (DA) for January 2023 is usually announced ahead of Holi. If the dearness allowance is increased by 4 percent, then the cost of central employees will increase from the current 38 percent to 42 percent. After a four per cent increase in DA in September 2022, now central employees are waiting for an increase in dearness allowance in the new year.

Government can take a big decision on DA outstanding for 18 months
The issue of DA Arrears of 18 months pending for central employees is still pending. It is expected that in the beginning of the year 2023, the government can solve it by finding a middle way. In fact, the DA of the last 18 months from January 2020 to June 2021, during the Corona period, is still pending.

Looking at the demands of the employees’ unions, the government may adopt a middle way in this regard and announce a lump sum amount. If this happens then up to Rs 2.18 lakh can come in the account of the employees.

Increase in fitment factor

At the same time, the matter of revision in the Fitment Factor of the Central Government is also fast. Central employees are continuously demanding increase in fitment factor. Therefore, after the Union Budget, the government can make a big announcement on increasing the revision in the fitment factor. If there is an increase in the fitment factor, then there can be a big increase in the salary of the employees. At present, fitment factor is being given to central employees at the rate of 2.57 per cent. There is a demand to increase it to 3.68 times. With the increase in fitment factor from 2.57 to 3.68, the minimum basic pay will increase from Rs 18,000 to Rs 26,000. If the central government accepts this demand, then there will be a tremendous increase in the minimum salary of central employees.

Significantly, the last time the fitment factor was increased in the year 2016. The 7th Pay Commission was also implemented in the same year. At that time the minimum salary of the employees went straight from Rs 6000 to Rs 18,000. While the ceiling was increased from Rs 90,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh. Now the government can again increase the salary of central employees this year.