UP forms panel to look into 7th Pay Commission proposals

Committee would submit its report to state govt in 6 months

Uttar Pradesh cabinet today decided to constitute a high level Pay Committee in the backdrop of the Centre deciding to implement the 7th Pay Commission recommendations.

The Committee would submit its report to the state government in 6 months after examining implication of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations on state exchequer over salaries, pensions and other service related benefits and perks of state employees.

The cabinet authorised chief minister Akhilesh Yadav to appoint the chairman of the committee. The representatives of the principal secretaries of planning and personnel departments would be members of the committee, while secretary finance (pay commission) would be the member secretary of the body.

The Pay Committee report would span recommendations pertaining to the state employees, teachers and non-teaching staff of aided educational and technical training institutions, employees of local bodies, district panchayats, development authorities, public sector undertakings/corporations and autonomous institutions.

The Committee would consider the state's financial resources and constraints with regards to development while giving its recommendations.

The additional burden on the state exchequer due to the hike in salaries, allowances and pensions is estimated at Rs 24,000 crore over the current salary and pension bill of nearly Rs 1,00,000 crore.

The move would benefit 1.6 million government employees and over half million pensioners in the state.

With state polls due in early 2017, the ruling Samajwadi Party dispensation headed by Akhilesh Yadav is expected to move fast on the matter to keep this chunk of 2.1 million people in good humour. The state government could provide the additional funds through supplementary budget if needed.