BANGALORE: The Karnataka government has given the green light to implement the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, starting from August 1. This decision, approved by the state cabinet, will lead to a significant increase in the basic salary of over seven lakh government employees. The commission, led by K Sudhakar Rao, has proposed a substantial 27.5% raise, which is expected to impose an additional annual expenditure of Rs 17,440.15 crore on the state's finances. Sources indicate that the Chief Minister is set to formally announce the salary hike during the Legislative Assembly session scheduled for Tuesday. The move comes following mounting pressure from various quarters, including the Karnataka State Government Employees Association, which had threatened an indefinite strike starting August if their demands were not met. Earlier measures included an interim 17% salary hike announced by the then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in March 2023. This interim raise is now expected to be supplemented with an additional 10.5 percentage points, rounding up to the recommended 27.5% increase in basic salaries as per the 7th Pay Commission's proposals. The decision is anticipated to bring relief to state employees who have been eagerly awaiting this development amid rising living costs. This move by the Karnataka government aims to ensure parity and financial stability for its workforce in alignment with the commission's guidelines. PLI Scheme Propels Telecom Equipment Sales Beyond Rs 50,000 Cr Modi's Parliament Speeches: Key Takeaways from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Sessions India's Top GST Revenue Collecting States and Latest Collections