Andhra Pradesh Announces 12th Pay Commission, Pending DA Payments For Government Employees

Andhra Pradesh (AP) Chief Minister (CM) N Chandrababu Naidu has announced a set of measures for government employees and pensioners, including the appointment of the 12th Pay Revision Commission (PRC), payment of two pending dearness allowance (DA) instalments and higher pensions for older pensioners.

The announcements have come after a meeting between Naidu and representatives of various employee associations. The 12th PRC will review salaries and other benefits for government employees. The commission has been due since July 1, 2023.

Two Pending DA Instalments To Be Paid

The state government has announced that two pending DA instalments will be paid with the salary for October 1, 2026. The instalments are due from July 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025.

DA is paid to government employees and pensioners to provide relief against inflation and rising prices. Pensioners will also receive the two pending instalments.

Employee associations have highlighted the delay in DA payments and pay revision as a key concern. They have pointed to higher living costs and the absence of a pay revision for the past two to two-and-a-half years.

Surrendered Leave Dues To Be Cleared

The government has also announced payment of money due for surrendered leave from 2022 by the Sankranti festival.

Surrender leave allows an employee to forgo eligible leave and receive payment for it, subject to applicable government rules. Civil employees will be eligible for one surrender leave a year.

Police personnel will be eligible for two surrender leaves a year because of the nature of their duties. The additional surrender leave benefit for police personnel will be paid around Dussehra.

Older Pensioners To Get Additional Pension

The government will introduce the Additional Quantum of Pension from January 2027.

Pensioners above 70 years will receive an additional 10 per cent pension, while those above 75 years will receive an additional 15 per cent. The additional amount will be calculated over the existing pension.

The government has also announced steps to streamline the Employees Health Scheme (EHS), which covers eligible government employees and pensioners.

Measures To Increase State Spending

Employee associations have raised demands concerning salaries, DA, pension benefits and other service-related issues. The government has discussed its financial position with employee representatives and has sought their cooperation on the measures.

According to the AP government, the decisions announced by the CM will add around Rs 2,880 crore to annual expenditure.