New Delhi, Aug 3: Responding to a question raised in the zero hour of the Lok Sabha, Minister of State (MoS) for Finance Pon Radhakrishnan said the government is considering no alternative proposal to hike the minimum wages of central government employees, or the fitment factor which revised their erstwhile salaries under the 6th Central Pay Commission.

Radhakrishnan's response came to the unstarred question numbered 1652, which sought clarification on whether the Centre is considering any other method beyond the realm of 7th Pay Commission to revise the salaries of employees.

The question also sought a clarification on whether the government will not resort to the appointment of pay commissions for the revision of salaries henceforth. Responding to the query, Radhakrishnan wrote, "No such proposal is under consideration of the government."

The clarification from the government comes in the backdrop of unverified reports claiming that 7th Pay Commission could be the last such pay panel appointed by the government. The reports said henceforth, the government may revise the salaries of employees annually.

Reports doing the rounds on internet also claimed that the Prime Minister's Office was considering to revise the minimum wages of the government employees from Rs 18,000 at present to Rs 21,000. The announcement, the rumours claimed, could be made on August 15.

Reacting to the reports, the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA), which has been leading the negotiation with the government, has warned the government employees against falling prey to such rumours. "Such kind of baseless claims is adding more pain to the agony of the employees," said a senior union leader associated with the NJCA.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 03, 2018 11:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).