The revision has retrospective effect from March 1, 1997. The new pay will be disbursed along with the November salary. Arrears up to October this year would remain impounded in the provident fund for four years.

Maternity leave has been increased from 90 to 135 days. Surrender leave facility goes up from 15 to 20 days. Fitment facility would be 10 per cent and service weightage 20 per cent. House rent allowance has been doubled and city compensatory allowance increased.

Announcing this after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister E K Nayanar said the additional annual financial burden on the exchequer would be Rs 904 crore.

Finance Minister T Sivadasa Menon, who was also present at the news conference, said the Government had to concede the just demands ofvarious sections, thus raising the total outgo far above the commitment of Rs 637 crore recommended by the Pay Revision Committee. The minimum benefit is Rs 250 on the basic pay.