Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday announced to grant Tough Location Allowance as recommended by the 7^th Central Pay Commission to all government employees from the first day of 2019. Indeed, for state government employees this news is probably one of the best New Year gifts they could ask for.

Arunachal has one of the highest government employee population ratios in the country putting great financial pressure on an already resource crunch state. Arunachal Pradesh has around 66,000 regular government employees and it is one of the few states in the country to implement the 7^th CPC despite resource constraint. Implementing the Tough Location Allowance to all regular employees will lead to an additional burden of Rs. 127 crores over and above Rs. 203 crores which is being provided as of now. Thus, the total annual involvement of existing and additional emolument proposed will be Rs. 330 crores which is roughly 60% more than the existing allowances.

Khandu while making the announcement said that it is an expression of gratitude to all employees for being an active part of Team Arunachal in delivering all the people-centric policies to the last man in the state.

Accepted but we take that with a pinch of salt to say the least!

As expected the apex body of state government employees, the Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP) has hailed the announcement and urged upon its members to reciprocate by providing public services with sincerity and dedication.           

The new found bonhomie augurs well for the general public as it was only few months ago that the CoSAAP was at loggerheads with the state government over non fulfilment of their demands. Over a span of several weeks, government offices literally came to a standstill with employees resorting to pen and tool down strike to vent their frustrations while the government talked tough on the impasse.     

As the CM said government servants form the core of Team Arunachal and their great effort and contribution towards inclusive growth and development of the state must be recognised. He is also right in asserting that since the state government is investing heavily on state government employee’s welfare; people in return expect their 100% commitment.

Since all is hunky-dory now, can the common man expect that we get down to real business.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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