Bengaluru, Feb. 23 -- Even as the Seventh Pay Commission constituted by the State Government for wage revision of Government employees, is yet to submit its report, it is said that the State Government will have to incur an additional annual expenditure of Rs.15,431 crore if the wages of Government employees are hiked by 24 percent, in keeping with the anticipated recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission. This additional burden also finds a mention in the State budget which was presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also holds the Finance portfolio, on Feb.16.

The Seventh Pay Commission is expected to submit its report by Mar.15, which is the deadline set by the State Government. According to Government estimates, the wage bill of...