NMC President advocates comprehensive reforms and relief measures in pre-budget memo to Union Finance Minister

DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
jammu, Jan 30
National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) president, Subash Shastri today urged upon the Union Finance Minister to release the pending installation of 5% DA due from 1st January 2024 along with 18 months pending Dearness Allowance arrears beside merging of 50% DA with basic pay and pension both central/state government employees and pensioners in view of increasing inflation and price hike of essential commodities and announcement in this regard should be made in the upcoming interim Union Budget presenting on February 1, 2024 in the LokSabha.
In a memorandum sent to Union Finance Minister, Shastri said the price index which was 6.95% in July 31 last year now increased to 12.65% in December 31, 2023.
The rate of compensation was revised every six months based on average of the consumer price index for previous months and this would be the 17th biannual increase since the recommendation of the 7th pay commission which was accepted by the Central Government in 2016, he said.
Shastri pointed out that DA is part of salary and routine financial matter and as such there should be no hitch in releasing it. “The Government should release these instalments at the earliest so that the employees and pensioners would heave a sigh of relief from the rising prices of essential commodities”, he maintained adding that DA should be exempted from the ambit of Income Tax as it is linked with price index.
Shastri also urged NirmalaSitharaman to incorporate the freeze arrear amount in the interim budget so that the arrears of employees and pensioners freeze during Covid pandemic 2019 are released. He further urged Sitharaman to keep the provision of the pay likely to be enhanced in view of the revision of fitment factor, as committed in the 7th pay commission recommendations.
Shastri urged Sitharamanhim to appoint Chairman and other members of the 8th pay commission and take decision in this regard at the earliest and start discussion with representatives of both Central and State governments employees and pensioners, organizations, adding that the appoint of 8th Pay Commission will end confusion and uncertainty among the salaried class and pensioners.
Stressing on the need Shastri also urged Sitharamanhim to immediately restore old pension scheme in place of NPS as confidence building measures. He said that many states like Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Karnataka and Sikkim have restored old pension scheme in favour of NPS Employees. He hoped that the NDA Government at the centre will take positive step in this regard, adding that these will be a major political issue in the upcoming general election 2024.
Urging the NDA Government at the centre to declare both Jammu and Srinagar as B-1 Cities, Shastri said, giving the status of both capital cities would ensure more flow of funds to upgrade infrastructure and modernize civic amenities.
The NMC chief further urgedSitharaman to immediately grant a special package of Rs. 2,000 Crore per annum for regularization of UT, J&K daily rated workers in one go.
Shastri also insisted on the regularization of daily wagers who have completed seven years of service in December 2023, adding their monthly emoluments should be raised to Rs. 18,000 per month.