Dimapur, Oct 9 (MExN): Release of first and second installment of DA and DR percentages have been demanded by the Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees Association (CANSSEA) citing harsh repercussions in domestic welfare of employees due to the non-payment.
According to the CANSSEA, the 1st installment of DA and DR of 3% with effect from January 1, 2006 and 2nd installment of 5% from July 1, 2006 adding up to 24% and 29% of DA and DR respectively have not been released to the government employees and pensioners till date.
“Among other things, we feel that these fringe financial packages are given as a compensatory allowance to the employees and pensioners to fight against the menace of rising prices of essential commodities. We are aware that the current inflation rate is moving somewhere 6% whereas the prices of crude oil per barrel in the international market has already crossed a phenomenal and all time high of USD 78.40 in July 2006, resulting in the revision of pricing policy of petrol and diesel by the government of India respectively” CANSSEA’s President Dr K Solo and Vice president AC Hazarika, in a letter to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, stated.
The association explained that this revision in turn has led to “skew” in prices of food, vegetables and edible oils hitting employees’ household economy beyond anticipation. “To say the least, the payment of DA at Central rate is an issue which firmly laid down vide item 13 of Nagaland Services (Revision of Pay) Rules 1999 as amended thereafter till 31.10.2000 and for the matter, the mechanism is very clearly defined and accordingly the follow-up action should have been automatic and spontaneous” it reminded.
Taking into consideration the aforementioned factors, the CANSSEA has urged the Chief Secretary to initiate urgent measures to release the payment so that employees and pensioners would be facilitated with improved and better living.
