Government Set to Give Dussehra Gifts to Employees by Clearing Pending DAs

The government is planning to give its employees a special gift this Dussehra by clearing two out of the four pending Drought Allowances (DAs). These long-overdue payments have caused much anticipation among the workforce, and now discussions are in full swing to resolve the matter.

Plans to Release Two Pending DAs

1. Secretariat Discussions: The Secretariat is currently in discussions to release two pending DAs along with the employees’ October salary, set to be disbursed on November 1. This move is expected to bring relief to many employees who have been waiting for these allowances.
2. Finance Department’s Role: The Finance Department is actively involved, assessing the financial burden that clearing these two DAs will place on the government. Officers are working on calculations to determine the allocation required for both allowances to be cleared simultaneously.
3. DA Pending from July 2022: These allowances have been pending since July 2022 under the previous government. As a fifth DA is expected soon, the current administration plans to release at least two of the pending DAs, taking into account the available financial resources.

Employee Representatives Push for Resolution

1. Meetings with the CM and Deputy CM: Representatives of trade unions have met with the Chief Minister (CM) and Deputy CM on several occasions, presenting written grievances about various issues, including the four pending DAs.
2. Government’s Response: Under the previous administration, there was uncertainty about the timely payment of employee salaries. From March onwards, the government ensured regular salary payments and started crediting pensions to retirees on the first of every month. This has demonstrated the government’s commitment to addressing employee concerns.
3. A Move Towards Employee-Friendly Governance: The state government’s actions reflect its employee-friendly stance, with the CM and Deputy CM expected to make a final decision soon on the release of two long-pending DAs from July-December 2022 and January-June 2023.

Financial Burden: ₹300 Crore on the Government

1. Announcement as a Dussehra Gift: The decision to clear the two pending DAs is being viewed as a gift to employees in time for Dussehra, a festival celebrated by millions across the state. The DAs for July-December 2022 and January-June 2023 were initially announced by the previous government at a rate of 3.64%. However, these DAs were not implemented, leaving employees hopeful that they will finally be granted now.
2. Meetings with JAC Representatives: During a meeting two days ago with Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Telangana employees raised the issue once again. The Deputy CM assured them that, as an employee-friendly government, efforts would be made to resolve the issue positively.
3. Estimated Financial Impact: Preliminary estimates from the Finance Department suggest that clearing the two pending DAs will cost the government an additional ₹300 crore. This represents a significant financial burden, but the government remains determined to fulfill its commitment to employees.

Future Decision on Remaining DAs

1. Monthly Salary and Pension Expenditure: The government already spends approximately ₹4,800 crore per month on salaries for employees and pensions for retirees. Despite this considerable outlay, it is now planning to clear two of the pending DAs and will consider resolving the remaining two in the next financial year.
2. Official Announcement Expected: Recognizing the crucial role employees play in governance, the government is expected to make an official announcement regarding the release of the DAs soon. This follows the swift implementation of an ₹8,000 crore loan waiver for farmers, completed in just one month. The government aims to convey to employees that there are no financial hurdles to releasing these two DAs.
3. Remaining DAs Still Pending: Once these two DAs are cleared, the DAs for the periods of July-December 2023 and January-June 2024 will still remain pending. Additionally, with the central government expected to announce the next DA soon, the state government will likely follow suit. This could lead to a fifth DA being added to the list of pending payments.

Conclusion

The government’s plan to release two long-pending DAs as a Dussehra gift showcases its commitment to addressing employee concerns. This move, combined with the consistent payment of salaries and pensions, reflects the administration’s focus on employee welfare and its dedication to fostering a supportive work environment for state employees.