From correspondents in Punjab, India, 06:02 PM IST

Announcing an Independence Day bonanza for state government employees, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said Friday that his government will implement the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission on the lines of the central government.

The announcement came within hours after the central government announced the implementation of the 6th pay commission recommendations for central government employees - a 21 percent hike in salaries - from Sep 1.

Haryana has become the first state to announce that it will follow the central pattern on pay increase for government employees.

Hooda made the announcement while addressing the Independence Day function at Palwal, the headquarters of the newly created 21st district of Haryana.

Hooda said a committee headed by Chief Secretary Dharam Vir had been constituted to study the recommendations of the pay commission.

The Haryana government has made a provision of Rs.15.5 billion in the 2008-09 budget for payment of the increase in salary and pension, which is likely to be effected on the recommendation of the 6th Pay Commission.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)