Sixth pay panel report within 18 months

The Sixth Pay Commission, which was notified today, has been asked to submit its recommendations within 18 months. In effect, its award will come close to 2008, the last year of the UPA government's term.

The terms of reference of the commission include the task of making recommendations, for the first time, for officials and employees of regulatory bodies like the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, and Tariff Authority for Major Ports, which have been set up under Acts of Parliament.

The four-member commission will be chaired by Justice B N Srikrishna, have Sushama Nath as member-secretary, and Ravindra Dholakia and J S Mathur as the members.

In addition to central government employees, armed forces, all-India services and union territories, the commission will make recommendations for officials and employees of the Indian audit and accounts department. Further, it will examine the impact on the finances of the states if the recommendations are adopted by them.

The terms of reference have emphasised linking the salary structure to efficiency and productivity, while also keeping an eye on fiscal prudence.

One specific term of reference states working out a comprehensive pay package for the categories of central government employees that is suitably linked to promoting efficiency, productivity, and economy through nationalisation of structures, organisation, systems and processes within the government, with a view to leveraging economy, accountability, responsibility, transparency, assimilation of technology, and discipline.

Another term of reference deals with transforming central government organisations into modern, professional and citizen friendly entities that are dedicated to the service of the people.