Latest on Central Employees' D.A. / DR (which was scheduled to unfreeze from July1, 2021)

 The Staff Side meeting of the National Council JCM was held on 25/06/2021 to discuss about the issues to be raised in the introductory remarks during the National Council – JCM meeting on 26/06/2021. After finalizing the points to be raised in the meeting and also after discussion on the 29 Agenda Points the following decision were taken unanimously:-

Only the relevant portion of the meeting is reproduced below)

Withdrawal of orders of DA/ DR freeze.

Decision:-Cabinet Secretary stated that Department of Expenditure would process the matter for getting the Cabinet Approval for restoring the frozen DA / DR from 1/7/2021. The Staff Side demanded that they are eligible for arrears from 1/1/2020 and the mode payment can be discussed separately with the Staff Side. The Staff Side also demanded to extend the benefit to those employees who retired / expired between 1/1/2020 and 30/06/2021.

Click here to view full minutes from AIRF website.

Major shift in vaccine policy : Centre to provide free jabs to all

 In a recent U turn, P.M announced that Central Govt. will provide free vaccine to all citizens over 18 and state Govt. will not have to pay for vaccine anymore.

Govt. announced that 75% of total production will be purchased by Central Govt. and will provide states for free vaccination.

Remaining 25% will be sold to private facilities where citizen can take jabs if they desire. Private facilities can not charge more than Rs 150 over and above the cost price.

The new policy will take effect after two weeks, the 21st June 2021. PM said.

Following heavy criticism from the country as well as Supreme Court prompted the paradigm shift, sources indicated.