Hindustan Times on Sixth Pay Commission

IT IS a windfall for over 45 lakh central government employees. The sixth Pay Commission on Monday submitted its report to the government proposing a substantial increase in salaries and allowances for government employees, while seeking to streamline allowances, pension and medical insurance. The revised pay scales will be effective retrospectively from January 1, 2006, while recommendations relating to allowances will be implemented prospectively. Existing rates of most of the allowances have been doubled for both defence and civilian staff. As per the revised pay scales, minimum monthly salary at entry level would be Rs 6,660 and the maximum ---of a Cabinet Secretary and Service chiefs- would be Rs 90,000. Secretaries will get Rs 80,000. In a first of its kind, the commission recommended a performance related incentive scheme (PRIS) by which employees will be eligible for pecuniary remuneration over and above their pay. The PRIS will be budget neutral. "A scheme of PRIS (performance related incentive scheme) has been recommended... It should also work as a substitute for bonus, honorarium and overtime allowances," the report said. The panel, which presented the report to finance minister E Chidambaram, suggested that the number of grades be reduced to 20 from the existing 35.
Recommending a substantial increase in allowances and other benefits, the Commission suggest- ed a 40 per cent increase in pension and family pension. The Commission also favoured a market-driven compensation package to young scientist and posts requiring special expertise and skills, besides an enhanced pay scale for nurses, teachers, constabulary and postmen. Seeking a substantial hike in allowances, the Commission recommended payment of arrears in two instalments and said that out of the total one-time expenditure of Rs 18,060 crore, as much as Rs 12,642 crore will have to be borne in the Union budget and the balance of Rs 5,418 crore in the Railway budget. The recommendations will cost Rs 12,561 crore in 200809. The net financial implications are estimated to be Rs 7,975 crore for 2008-09. There would be an additional, burden of Rs 18,060 crore on account of payment of arrears. K.M. Chandrasekhar Cabinet Secretary Rs 30,000 Present salary Rs 90,000 Proposed salary Shivshankar Menon Foreign Secretary RS 26,000 Present salary Rs 80,000 Proposed salary Gen. Deepak Kapoor Army chief Rs 30,000 Present salary Rs 90,000 Proposed salary YS Dadwal, Delhi Police boss Rs 26,000 Present salary Rs 80,000 Proposed salary Others Chief Engineer, DDA Present Proposed Junior Engineer Rs 3 0 , 0000 0000 000 Principal Judge Government Doctor RS Rs 39,000T Nurse Primary Teacher Rs 12,000 Rs 17,000 Gross salary, based on higher end of basic salary figures
INCENTIVE SCHEME: Performance related incentive scheme (PRIS), making employees eligible for remuneration over and above pay. Budget-neutral scheme; to replace ad hoc bonuses. As good as it gets Coming: Handsome raises, performance-based incentives, more sensitive working conditions, larger pensions
RANGE OF SALARY: Minimum Rs 6,660; maximum RS 90,000. Most allowances doubled; education allowance up from RS 50 to Rs 1,000 per child per month. Bigger pensions after age 80.
FLEXIBLE INCREASES: All fixed allowances up for automatic revision whenever dearness allowance goes up by 50%. Consumer Price Index base year to be revised frequently. Travellip Allowance to increase in proportion to DA.
FEWER HOLIDAYS: Number of national holidays cut to 3. Five-day week to continue; restricted holidays up from 2 to 8.
GENDER SENSITIVE: Staggered working hours for women, special leave for childcare. Maternity leave up to 180 days; better accommodation in women's hostels. OPEN DOOR: Top posts to be filled from within/outside govt to get best domain expertise. Market-driven salaries specialists.