Karnataka Government Approves 27.5% Pay Hike for State Employees
In a significant move, the Karnataka government has approved a substantial pay hike for its employees following the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. The decision was confirmed during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and will take effect from August 1. State Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized that this pay increase, which has been a longstanding demand, will benefit approximately 14 to 15 lakh state employees.
The 7th Pay Commission, led by former chief secretary K Sudhakar Rao, proposed a 27.5% increase in the basic salary of government employees. This decision, which aligns with the Congress party’s manifesto, is expected to cost the state government an additional ₹17,440.15 crore annually. The pay hike comes in response to mounting pressure from the Karnataka State Government Employees Association, which had threatened to launch an indefinite strike in August if their demands were not met.
In March 2023, the then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had provided an interim 17% salary hike to employees. The current administration under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will add a further 10.5 percentage points, bringing the total increase to 27.5%. This decision underscores the government’s commitment to addressing employee concerns and ensuring fair compensation for its workforce.
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