In a video message released by the Congress, Manmohan Singh, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and several other top leaders slammed the government over its decision.

I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar said that government will incur Rs 14,595 crore additional expense on account of this hike.

The move will benefit 50 lakh central government employees and 65 lakh pensioners.