Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 29: Northern Zone Insurance Employees’ Association Srinagar Division representing employees of LIC of India in Jammu & Kashmir, strongly opposed the freezing of the Dearness Allowance by the Union Government.
In a statement issued here Pawan Gupta, Divisional Secretary of the Association, said that he is deeply disturbed and disappointed over the Central Government decision to freeze the Dearness Allowance payable to its employees and pensioners due from January Ist, 2020 to June 30, 2021. He said when the compulsory freeze is lifted, the arrears due will not be paid. The decision is taken arbitrarily without consulting the employees, their trade unions and pensioner associations. The Government intends to save over Rs 37,500 crore through this measure. But this drastic measure will severely impact the life and living of 48 lakh Central Government Employees and 65 lakh of Central Government pensioners. The Dearness relief is not a wage increase. It is just compensation against the erosion of real wages and the cost of living.
Gupta said this step of the Government indicates that the Government rather than making efforts to control inflation intends to attack the living standards of its employees and pensioners. It must be noted that the Government has recently reduced the interest rates substantially on the small savings and the Banks have reduced interest rates on deposits. The reduction on the earnings due to bringing down of interest rates will have a devastating impact on senior citizens depending on the interest income for their living while the Central Government pensioners will have to bear the double burden of lower interest rates and of Dearness relief.
It is true that India is facing unprecedented health and economic crisis due to COVID 19. The entire country has stood as one to fight the pandemic. But it must be acknowledged that the Central Government employees across the country are in forefront of battle against COVID-19 risking their safety and life. The doctors, nurses, para-medical staff, municipal and sanitary workers, police and employees in Health Department, Defense, Postal, Power, Oil, Coal etc. and also employees on the administrative side are doing extra ordinary service to the Nation by taking enormous risk. Most of the employees have contributed generously to PM Cares Fund and also the Chief Minister Relief funds of the States. It is unfortunate that instead of recognizing the services of the employees, the Government has decided to punish them economically by freezing the DA.
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