With an eye on the 2019 parliament and state assembly elections, Maharashtra announced a New Year bonanza on Tuesday: It would implement the 7th Pay Commission's recommendations for all government employees.

A cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, cleared the decision to hike the salaries and related allowances, which would benefit around 1.70 million (17 lakh) employees and entail an additional burden of Rs 21,000 crore on the exchequer.