Raise DA by 14 pc, revise MW Act: MGSF
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 02 2025: While commending the government for the recent announcement for 7 percent increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for state employees, Manipur Government Services' Federation (MGSF) has urged for hiking the DA rate to 14 percent as enjoyed by central government employees.

The Federation also called on the relevant authorities to revise the Minimum Wages Act.

Addressing media persons at the Pishumthong office of Manipur State Pensioners' Union, on Thursday, MGSF vice president Laishram Sarat noted that since implementation of the 7th Pay Commission, the DA for state employees has been significantly lower compared to other states.

The Federation has been consistently urging the government to raise the DA to match that of the central government, which currently stands at 53 percent.

Clarifying that increase in DA will not lead to increment of employees' salaries, he explained that employees' salaries contribute to disposable income, which is spent in the market.

"If this income is not circulated through the market, demand for consumable goods will decrease, negatively impacting local producers and the state's economy," the vice president said, adding that sustaining the demand is essential.

Sarat also stressed the need to dispel the misconception that providing salaries to government employees would cause financial strain to the state's exchequer.

He then expressed gratitude to the state government for increasing the DA of government employees by 7 percent, bringing it to 39 percent, while reiterating the appeal to government to raise the remaining 14 percent of the DA to match the 53 percent DA entitled to central government employees.

Such a move would benefit not only government employees but the entire population of the state, he said.

Sarat further mentioned that the federation has been pressing the relevant authorities to revise the Minimum Wages Act for the welfare of private sector employees.

He pointed out that the government has yet to issue a notification in the state gazette, and the finance department has not yet issued an order in this regard.

He urged the state government to ensure that the finance department issues the necessary order, ensuring economic justice for private sector employees and wage earners.

Comment