Basic pay of Gramin Dak Sevaks hiked up to Rs 14,500

The Centre on Wednesday cleared the proposal to raise the basic salary of Gramin Dak Sevaks to up to Rs 14,500 per month.

The Union Cabinet also decided that revised wages will come with arrears with effect from January 1, 2016, Communication Minister Manoj Sinha told reporters.

"Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) who were getting Rs 2,295 per month will get Rs 10,000. Those who were getting Rs 2,775 will get Rs 12,500. The GDSs who were paid Rs 4,115 will get Rs 14,500 per month," he said.

Sinha said that allowances will be over the basic pay and the Cabinet has also, additionally, for the first time approved risk and hardship allowances for GDS. The minister said GDS will now work in two shifts instead of three.

The Cabinet has also approved the compensatory appointment of a dependent of GDS which was not allowed earlier, Sinha said. Dearness Allowance will continue to be paid as a separate component, he said.

Around 3.07 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks will benefit from this decision.