Even as the Sixth Pay Commission is working towards finalising its recommendations, expected to be implemented prior to the next general elections, the UPA Cabinet cleared a Rs 3,285-crore annual bounty for the Central Government employees and pensioners at its meeting on Thursday. Terming it as “good news for the employees”, Union Parliamentary Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said the Dearness Allowance rate has been increased to 41 per cent from 35 per cent with effect from July 1, 2007. In order to keep a check on inflationary tendencies, the Cabinet also decided to extend for another six months the Centre’s notification in August last year under the Essential Commodities Act that empowers states to carry out dehoarding operations against anyone holding more than 50,000 tonnes of wheat and pulses. Dasmunsi said this was being done in response to a demand from some states. As reported by The Indian Express on Friday, the Cabinet also approved an improvised version of the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) to be launched on October 2 to coincide with the United Nations agreeing to celebrate the day as an International Day of Non-Violence in honour of Mahatma Gandhi. The CCEA also approved Rs 300 crore as a special package for improving the services of Doordarshan and All India Radio in Jammu and Kashmir. While about Rs 32 crore would be spent on purchasing new equipment, Rs 267.70 crore has been earmarked for generating new programming for the DD Kashir channel.Cabinet nod for:• Amendments to the Factories (Amendment) Bill 2005• Issue of fresh equity of 10 per cent of capital and listing of Oil India shares• 10 per cent Government stake in Oil India to be sold to IOC, HPCL and BPCL
