Cabinet to discuss DA, 7th pay commission next Monday

The new state govt is set to take up one of the state's most politically sensitive employee issues next week, with chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announcing that the cabinet will discuss DA arrears and the implementation of the 7th pay commission at its May 18 meeting. Adhikari said the govt's second cabinet meeting would focus on DA, salary revision and broader governance issues.State govt employees have long been demanding DA at par with central govt staff, while the matter remains pending before SC. The regime change has fueled expectations that the new administration may move towards narrowing the existing 42% DA gap between central and state employees. The govt is also expected to consider setting up the 7th pay commission, a move that could pave the way for revised salaries for lakhs of employees and pensioners. tnn