The Karnataka cabinet has decided to implement the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission effective from August 1, according to official sources. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to formally announce the pay hike for over seven lakh state government employees in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
The Seventh Pay Commission, chaired by former chief secretary K. Sudhakar Rao, has recommended a 27.5 percent increase in the basic salary of government employees, as per a report on PTI.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge emphasised the significance of this decision, stating, "The Seventh Pay Commission was one of the demands of the people and it was also there in our manifesto. Yesterday we brought it into the Cabinet and it will benefit around 14 to 15 lakh state employees."
The implementation of the pay commission's recommendations is expected to cost the state exchequer an additional Rs 17,440.15 crore annually. The move comes amid growing pressure on the Siddaramaiah government to address employee salary concerns, particularly after the Karnataka State Government Employees Association announced plans for an indefinite strike starting in August.
In March 2023, the previous Chief Minister, Basavaraj Bommai, had granted employees an interim 17 percent salary hike. The current administration is likely to add an additional 10.5 percentage points to this interim hike, resulting in a total 27.5 percent increase in basic salary, aligning with the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission.
Last month, Karnataka CM met PM Modi and sought for his special attention to the state in the upcoming budget.