Revised pay scale arrears: no clarity yet on mode of payment

Revised pay scales due from April 1 last year, notional payment of arrears for two years from July 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020

As the government prepares to credit the revised salary into the accounts of employees of different categories taking 30 per cent fitment hike into consideration, clarity is yet to emerge on the mode of payment of the arrears due from April 1 last year. There is uncertainty over the definition of cash and monetary benefits announced by the Cabinet on Tuesday as part of the implementation of revised pay scales. The government has announced after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that new pay scales will become operational with the salary of June, payable in July for 9.21 lakh employees, including those contracted and outsourced, and pensioners. The notional benefit of the revised pay scales will be implemented from July 1, 2018 and monetary benefit from April 1 last year. The cash benefit of the revised scales will be effective from April 1 this year. There is clarity on the payment of arrears of the revised scales to pensioners with effect from April 1 last fiscal as the government said they would be paid in 36 instalments. But the same is not the case with the salaries/wages of the existing staff. Employees are of the view that the arrears due for the month of June will be paid along with the salary in July and the government could opt for depositing the arrears for April and May in the accounts of the staff in due course.