Babus expect bonus,get Maya austerity diktat

Contrary to the expectations of the employees regarding the announcement of bonus after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday,Chief Minister Mayawati asked all departments to implement austerity measures in view of the huge financial burden imposed by the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission’s report. She also banned opening of new guesthouses,construction of new office or residential buildings,purchase of vehicles,hosting of meetings,lunches and dinners in five-star hotels,tours which are not strictly officials,and spending money on New Year diaries.

Besides the financial burden of the pay revision,UP’s finances have come under stress due to a slump in revenue in the first half of the current fiscal,hike in expenditure due to a series of populist schemes and fall in the state’s share in Central taxes. The state has been paying bonus to its employees before Diwali for nearly two decades and the Cabinet meeting was widely expected to sanction payment of the bonus.

Principal Secretary of Finance Manjit Singh said,“The issue is before the government and a final decision on the payment of bonus is likely in the next two days.” Regarding payment of arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission,he said,“The government has lifted all restrictions on cash payment of 20 per cent arrears. The remaining arrears will be deposited in PF.”