The total impact of the Commission’s recommendations are expected to entail an increase of 0.65% points to GDP compared to 0.77% in case of the sixth pay commission, the finance ministry said. (REUTERS)

The 23.5% average hike in the central government employees’ salaries could press on the government’s wage bill by an estimated Rs 1.02 lakh crore in 2016-17, pushing up the government’s fiscal deficit by 0.65% of gross domestic product (GDP).

Out of the total financial impact, Rs 73,650 crore will be borne by the General Budget and Rs 28,450 crore by the railway budget.
In percentage terms, the overall increase in pay and allowances and pensions over the ‘Business As Usual’ scenario will be 23.55%. Within this, the increase in pay will be 16%. Allowances will go up by 63%, and the pension bill will increase by 24%, the pay commission report said.
The total impact of the Commission’s recommendations are expected to entail an increase of 0.65% points to GDP compared to 0.77% in case of the sixth pay commission, the finance ministry said.

While the government will spend ` 39,100 crore more in “pay” from Rs 2,44,300 crore to Rs 2,83,400 crore, “allowances” will account for an additional Rs 12,100 crore outgo to Rs 36,400 crore from ` 24,300 crore.
The pension bill will go up by Rs 33,700 crore in 2016-17 from the current ` 142,600 crore.
The government would like to contain the fiscal deficit—a measure of how much the government borrows to fund its expenses— within manageable limits.
In recent years, India’s precarious public finances have attracted unsparing criticism from global credit rating agencies amid a looming risk of downgrade of sovereign ratings.

Analysts are keenly watching on the how the government manages its public finances in wake of the off-budget expenses such as those relating to one-rank-one-pension (OROP) scheme for defence personnel as also the expected 7th pay commission payouts.
Unlike previous years, the pay commission-recommended salary hikes this time will not carry a major “arrears” burden given as it will be implemented on a “current” basis and not retrospectively. The new salaries will come into effect from January 1, 2016. The previous three commissions worsened the government’s finances.
The sixth pay commission recommended salaries, which was notified 2008-09 but kicked in retrospectively from January 1, 2006, saw pay cheques get bigger by an average 35%, costing the government an extra ` 17,000 crore annually. The employees also got one-off arrear payments of about Rs 27,000 crore.
The arrears were paid in two instalments: 40% in 2008-09 and 60% in 2009-10, which spread the fiscal impact.
A 20% hike in salaries will likely push up the fiscal deficit by 0.34% of GDP in 2017-18 and by 0.24% of GDP the following year.
India has budgeted to contain fiscal deficit to 3.9% of GDP in 2015-16 and further reduce it to 3% of GDP by 2017-18.
“The fiscal impact of the seventh pay commission, as with the previous ones, will likely be felt over the next two years: 201617 and 2017-18,” Sonal Varma, of Nomura, a broking and research firm, said in a research report.
Earlier on Thursday, finance minister Arun Jaitley said that implementation of the 7th pay commission recommendations will put “slight” burden on the state’s expenditure.
“I am conscious of the fact that 55% of all your expenditure is a tied up expenditure. And probably with the pay commission submitting its report today your percentage will slightly increase for the time being,” Jaitley said in Jaipur at the Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit 2015.

9 Ways to Make a Shave Last Longer

Expert tips to live by BRIDGET MARCH

We all know how to shave, but do we all know how to shave properly? Celebrity beauty therapist and Venus skin expert Nathalie Eleni explained to us that what you do before, during, and after shaving can mean less razor time all around. Here are her top tips for the perfect long-lasting shave:

1. Use a salt scrub the day before you shave to lift off any dead cells that may have trapped little hairs. Start from the ankles and work upward in a circular motion. If your skin is particularly sensitive, then using exfoliating gloves will prevent flare-ups but still get the job done efficiently.

2. Shower or bathe before you shave to remove natural oils and perspiration, and hydrate the hair, which makes it up to 60 percent easier to cut. Two-three minutes is optimum soaking time (after 15 or 20 minutes, water causes your skin to wrinkle and swell slightly, resulting in a shave that's not as close as you'd like).

3. Apply an ample amount of moisture-rich shave gel before shaving to help keep water in the hair and to ensure the razor glides easily over skin. This will allow you a good few extra shave-free days. Don't rely on soap to prepare your skin — it may clog your razor during shaving. In addition, many soaps cause dryness.

4. Choose your razor wisely. It is important to choose one that's properly equipped for the job. Venus offers something for every need. I love the Venus & Olay Sugarberry razor which has "five-blade technology" and gently exfoliates by sweeping away the top layer of skin cells for surface renewal, plus the Moisture-Boost shave gel bars contain petrolatum, a skin protectant to soften the skin and help lock-in moisture for less dryness.

5. Shave with a fresh blade; they provide a closer, smoother, more comfortable shave, and can help prevent cuts and irritation. You should replace blades at the first sign of dullness or discomfort, and because hair growth can vary dramatically depending on the person, you are the best judge. On average, women replace blades after about 10 shaves.

6. Use a light touch, exerting as little pressure as possible, and shave in the direction that feels most comfortable. Re-lather before shaving the bikini and other sensitive areas.

7. Leave hard-to-shave spots for last. The backs of knees and thighs, and areas like ankles, where the bone is close to the skin surface, are often difficult to shave. However, all Venus razors feature an oval-shaped cartridge that maximizes maneuverability in and around these hard-to-shave areas.

8. Rinse skin thoroughly after shaving, and then pat skin dry. Don't rub skin harshly and don't dry off completely. The extra water on your body will be sealed in as you apply moisturizer, helping to eliminate dry, flaky skin, especially on freshly shaved legs, so you can achieve a healthy glow.

9. Coat your freshly shaved legs in natural body oil (don't use synthetic perfumes or fragrances). Try simple coconut or macadamia oils, which you can buy from a health food shop or chemist; these will deeply nourish your skin. Apply every evening before bed.