Itanagar, Jul 8: The Arunachal Pradesh Employees’ Welfare Federation (APEWF) has urged the State Government to implement the Children Education Allowance (CEA) and Transport Allowance (TA) for eligible state government employees, claiming that the benefits recommended under the 6th and 7th Central Pay Commissions have remained unimplemented despite the state’s adoption of the Pay panel’s recommendations.
In a detailed representation submitted to the Commissioner, Finance Department, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, the Federation requested the government to implement the two allowances suo motu within 15 days.
The Federation stated that while Arunachal Pradesh adopted the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) in 2008 and the 7th CPC in 2016, the Children Education Allowance and Transport Allowance have allegedly not been extended to eligible state government employees over the period.
Referring to documents obtained under the Right to Information Act by a teachers’ body, the APEWF claimed that the Finance Department had assessed the additional financial implication for implementing various allowances under the 6th Central Pay Commission at around Rs 350.47 crore in 2010. It sought clarification on the status of the assessed financial provision and the reasons for the continued non-implementation of the allowances.
The Federation also pointed out that revised allowances under the 7th Central Pay Commission have been implemented for All India Service (AIS) officers and Central Government employees serving in the State, as well as in certain state institutions, and argued that similarly placed state government employees should receive equal treatment.
Citing proceedings in a pending contempt case before the High Court relating to the implementation of the two allowances, APEWF said the issue affects a large number of eligible employees and deserves immediate government attention.
According to the Federation, the Children Education Allowance is a service-related benefit meant to support employees in meeting educational expenses of their children, while the Transport Allowance is intended to compensate employees for commuting expenses incurred in the discharge of official duties.
The Federation maintained that welfare schemes such as stipends, book grants and scholarships for students cannot be treated as substitutes for CEA, as they serve different objectives and are governed by separate schemes.
APEWF further argued that the State has already adopted several Central Civil Services (CCS) rules under the Arunachal Pradesh Adaptation of Laws framework, demonstrating a consistent policy of extending central service benefits to state employees.
The Federation urged the government to implement the Children Education Allowance and Transport Allowance in accordance with the applicable government orders and Central Pay Commission recommendations without further delay.
It also sought permission under the Central Civil Services (Recognition of Service Associations) Rules, 1993, to convene a press conference to highlight the issue of the alleged denial of the two allowances to eligible employees.