No Consensus On Fitment Formula For Central Pay

The core group of ministers and the joint consultative machinery (JCM), which held a day-long discussion on the Pay Commission report, yesterday, failed to reach a consensus on the issue of the fitment formula for the pay scales of Central government employees. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday.

The JCM was, however, able to score some major gains on the issue of productivity-linked bonus. The government also agreed to consider increasing the number of days of casual leave from 4 to 12.

During the discussions, the JCM stuck to its stand that the pay scales at each entry point be revised by over 40 per cent of the basic pay, instead of 20 per cent as insisted upon by the government. As a compromise, the core group of ministers suggested that a fixed amount of Rs 230 could be given to all the employees. The outgo on a 20 per cent hike would amount to Rs 1,000 crore.

 

The JCM, however, argued that the governments formula would, in fact, decrease the take-home salaries of the employees. The formula worked out by the government would, in fact, cut down the take-home pay of the employees, JCM general secretary Umraomal Purohit told Business Standard.

On the issues of a productivity-linked bonus, it was agreed that the eligibility ceiling of Rs 4,500 for availing of the bonus should be removed as also the limit of 55 days. It was also agreed that Group B personnel should be included in the bonus pay-out. Group B personnel consist of class II-level senior supervisors both in the gazetted as well as non-gazetted category. The government also told the JCM members that a fast-track committee, set up to solve issues on the implementation of the report for the Armed Forces and Group A officers will finalise its report this week.