The government of Maharashtra has decided to implement 7th Pay Commission recommendation in giving salary to employees. This was a long standing demand of employees and there have been several stand-offs between the government and employees.

However, on Thursday, the state government approved implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendation. This will cost the exchequer around Rs 20,000. It will benefit around 17 lakh state employees. The government had made a decision earlier in the effect, but it got officially ratified on Thursday. The decision will come effect in  January,  2019. The state government had earlier announced they will also provide arrears for three yearsyears along with the increased salary.   

Earlier, 17 lakh employees in Maharshtra went on a 3-day strike, demanding a pay hike and the earliest implementation of the seventh pay recommendations. However, it should be noted that around 1.5 lakh gazetted officers withdrew from the strike after a Government Resolution (GR) was issued stating that the pending arrears of the Dearness Allowance (DA) for a period of 14 months will be paid to them.

The decision is significant as next year is very important for Maharashtra politically. Not only there is Lok Sabha polls but assembly polls are also slated to be held later in the year.