Jaya rolls back pay cuts for govt staff

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa today withdrew the cuts in pay and pension package for the 13 lakh state government employees. The new move would cost the state over Rs 355 crore in the current financial year.

The government staff unions had gone on strike last year protesting the slash in pensionary benefits. But Jayalalithaa had stuck to her guns and ordered mass dismissal of over a lakh employees. Now after the Lok Sabha poll debacle, the CM has offered to clear the over Rs 1,800 crore pay and related arrears on par with the Centre’s Fifth Pay Commission recommendations.

‘‘Despite continuing financial strain, my government has come forward to settle this large amount in order that government employees and teachers are motivated to serve the people of the state better,’’ she said.