New Delhi, April 7: Millions of Central government employees and pensioners await the outcome of the drafting committee of the National Council (Joint Consultative Machinery) on April 13 to get cues on the 8th Pay Commission salary revision, a report said on Tuesday.

The drafting committee meeting scheduled for 11:00 am at the JP Choubey Memorial Library (AIRF office premises) here will review a final common memorandum and discuss pay scale revisions, annual increments, allowances and other benefits, the report from NDTV Profit said.

“The April 13 meeting is in continuation of the March 12, 2026, meeting when all drafting committee members of the 8th Pay Commission met to discuss the common memorandum of all employee and pensioner bodies,” said NC-JCM secretary, Shiv Gopal Mishra, in a letter to members of the drafting committee.

The government has not yet announced the official date for the salary increase. Arrears will be calculated based on the date fixed for the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission

even as employee and pensioner groups press for arrears to be calculated from January 1, 2026, the report said.

The Federation of National Postal Organisations has asked the government to merge the 58 per cent dearness allowance with basic pay and give interim relief from the same date.

The salary increase will hinge on the fitment factor the government adopts which analysts expect to exceed 2.5. Some employee groups have sought a fitment factor of 3.15, even though the official decision may take over a year, the report said.

Pankaj Chaudhary, MoS Finance, told Parliament in March that the 8th Pay Commission will make its recommendations on pay, allowances, pensions, and other benefits for central government employees. The 8th Pay Commission is expected to complete this work within 18 months from November 2025.

New Delhi, April 7: The Centre has decided to double the daily allocation of 5-kg free trade LPG (FTL) cylinders available for distribution to migrant labourers across states, according to an official communication.

The Petroleum Ministry said in a notification the enhanced allocation will be based on the average daily supply of cylinders provided to migrant workers.

The revised allocation goes beyond the earlier cap of 20 per cent specified in March announcement.

The government also said that the additional 5-kg FTL cylinders will be placed at the disposal of state governments and their Food and Civil Supplies Departments for distribution exclusively to migrant labourers with the assistance of oil marketing companies (OMCs).

Earlier, the government had said it was making all efforts to ensure adequate availability of petrol, diesel and LPG amid the prevailing geopolitical situation, while advising citizens to avoid panic buying and rely only on official sources for information.

Consumers were also encouraged to use digital modes for LPG bookings and minimise visits to distributors unless necessary.

The government has prioritised domestic LPG and PNG supplies, along with critical sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.

It has also implemented several demand and supply-side measures, including enhancing refinery output and increasing LPG booking intervals to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas.

To ease pressure on LPG demand, alternate fuels such as kerosene and coal have been made available, while states have been advised to expand PNG connections.

The government also said there has been no disruption in LPG supply affecting migrant workers.

According to official data, around 51 lakh domestic LPG cylinders were delivered recently, with online bookings rising to 95 per cent and delivery authentication-based distribution increasing significantly to curb diversion.

New Delhi, April 7: The Delhi Police on Tuesday rescued a 17-year-old minor girl and arrested an accused in a swift operation carried out by the women patrolling team of Mahila Chowki, Central District, preventing a serious crime as the victim was lured to Delhi on the pretext of getting her a job.

According to officials, the incident came to light on April 2, at around 10:00 AM, when a police team from Kamla Market Police Station comprising SI Kiran Sethi, W/Ct Khushboo, and W/Ct Pooja was on routine patrol duty near S.N. Marg. During patrolling, a minor girl approached the team seeking immediate help.

The police personnel acted promptly, ensured her safety, and recorded her statement. The victim, a resident of Darbhanga district in Bihar, revealed that she had left her home on March 14 following a domestic dispute and travelled to Delhi on the advice of a friend.

Upon her arrival at New Delhi Railway Station, she was received by Shivji Das (52), an acquaintance of her friend. He took her to his residence in Nehru Vihar, where she stayed from March 15 to April 2 under the pretext of being offered domestic work.

The victim alleged that during this period, especially in the absence of the accused’s wife, Shivji Das outraged her modesty, made inappropriate advances, and threatened her with defamation if she disclosed the incidents to anyone.

On April 2, the accused brought the girl to S.N. Marg area and asked her to wait in a parking lot, claiming he was arranging a job for her. Sensing danger and feeling unsafe in the suspicious surroundings, the victim sought help from the women police team passing by.

Acting on her complaint, the police immediately apprehended the accused at the spot. During further enquiry, when officers visited nearby shops to gather statements, it emerged that the accused was attempting to negotiate a deal to sell the minor. The alleged plan was foiled due to the timely intervention of the police team.

Based on the victim’s statement, an FIR (No. 95/2026) was registered at Kamla Market Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act.

The victim has undergone medical examination and was produced before the Child Welfare Committee. She is currently safe and staying in a shelter home.

Police confirmed that the accused, Shivji Das, a native of Darbhanga, Bihar, has been arrested, and further investigation into the case is underway.