The central government has announced various relief measures for near 52 lakh central government employees and around 60 lakh pensioners. Restoring 7th pay commission DA (Dearness Allowance) and 7th CPC DR (Dearness Relief) benefit, simplifying 7th CPC pension rules, etc. are some of the latest announcements that center made to make life easy for near 1.12 crore central government employees and pensioners.

Here are the 5 latest announcement for the uplift of 7th pay commission pay matrix of the govt employees.

7th Pay Commission DA and DR restoration

The central government had stalled the DA in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, Central government employees are now likely to get an increased DA and DR from September. The benefits will be applicable from July 1,2021, and arrears for the month of July and August will be given to the employees and pension holders. The government has been in talks with the National Council of JCM – the recognised representative platform of the employees, to reach a final acceptable decision.

Simplification of 7th pay commission pension benefit Process:

Easing the procedural requirement for family pension rules, the government has done away with the long procedure. Under the new changed rule, provisional family pension will be sanctioned immediately after receiving the claim for Family Pension and Death Certificate from the eligible family member without waiting for other procedures to be complete.

House Building Advance (HBA) benefit: To help those central government employees who want to construct their own house, the central government in the month of June 2020 announced House Building Advance (HBA) benefit to all central government servants (CGS). The basic interest rate charged on this HBA is 7.9 per cent and the HBA benefit will remain available till 31st March 2022. Keeping 7th pay commission pay matrix and 7th CPC approval provisions in focus, center recently updated the HBA guidelines for the central government employees.

Pensioners to get pension slip via email, SMS, WhatsApp: With an aim to ensure ‘Ease of Living’ for near 60 lakh pensioners, the central government recently directed the pension disbursing banks to issue pension slip to the pensioners with complete break up. The center also directed the respective banks to issue pension slip via SMS on the registered mobile number of the pensioners. Banks are also advised the pension disbursing banks to issue pension slip on the given email ID of the pensioner and if needed, use social media platforms like WhatsApp, etc. as well. This initiative has become effective from 1st July 2021.

Extension in Time limit or submission of Travelling Allowance on retirement

The central government recently extended the time limit to submit TA to 180 days from the earlier 60 days. The decision has come into effect from June 15, 2021, and is likely to provide relief for retiring employees for whom claiming TA within 60 days became a little hectic.