Maharashtra: Fadnavis readies for Rs 21,000-cr mega blow

State govt to set up committee to implement 7th Pay Commission report

The Maharashtra government, which had projected a revenue deficit of Rs 3,644 crore for 2016-17, might have to bear an additional annual burden of Rs 18,000-Rs 21,000 crore to implement the 7th Pay Commission recommendations.

There are 1.9 million employees and 650,000 pensioners in Maharashtra.

The government’s outgo on salary and pension was at Rs 93,367 crore, 46 per cent of the revenue expenditure of Rs 2,01,988 crore in 2015-16.

Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar estimates the annual outgo at Rs 18,000 crore. But clarity would come after the finance department studies the Centre’s notification.

“The state government will set up a committee and take a call on the implementation of 7th Pay Commission report on the lines of the Union government,” a finance department official said. The officer recalled the implementation of 6th Pay Commission report (since January 1, 2006) had resulted in an annual outgo of Rs 10,000 crore.