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The government has decided to extend mobile phone allowances to government employees of all grades, expanding the benefit beyond the fifth grade.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting on Monday (August 31) as part of the National Pay Scale 2026, according to a press release from the Finance Ministry.
The ministry said mobile allowances were previously available only to employees in the fifth grade. Under the new pay scale, employees across all grades will be eligible for the allowance, considering the growing costs of internet use and digital communication.
The National Pay Scale 2026 will be implemented in phases from July 1, 2026.
Considering the financial implications and the potential impact on overall inflation, the government plans to implement it gradually over the 2026-27 and 2027-28 fiscal years.
Around 2.4 million military and civilian employees, along with more than 900,000 retired employees and other eligible beneficiaries, are expected to benefit from the new pay scale.