Bengaluru: The forthcoming Assembly polls seems to have brought bonanza for Government employees, with the State Govt. planning to hike salaries from a minimum of Rs.2,500 to a maximum of Rs. 10,000 per month. Chief Minister Siddharamaiah in a deft move to keep the employees happy with polls round the corner, is also hopeful that the move would benefit the Congress politically ahead of the poll.

The State’s Sixth Pay Commission is likely to submit its report to the Government on Jan.31 and Siddharamaiah is likely to make an announcement on salary hike during the inauguration of Government Employees State-level Sports Meet to take place in Ballari early next month. Thereafter, the CM may officially declare the wage hike when he presents the Budget on Feb.16.

The wage hike, if announced, may come into effect from April 1 and the hike is largely aimed at reaching parity in the wages of State and Central Government employees.

Although the Pay Commission has recommended a 25 percent hike, the CM is likely to announce a 30 percent covering all levels of employees, when he presents the Budget on Feb.16.