New pay scales for Punjab staff

Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 11

With the General Election round the corner, the Congress government in Punjab is all set to implement recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, headed by former Chief Secretary Jai Singh Gill.

The new pay scales are expected to be announced in February. The state has 3.5 lakh government employees, 1.5 lakh semi-government employees and around four lakh pensioners.

The financial provision is likely to be made in the state Budget to be presented in the first half of February.

Sources said the new recruits were expected to get pay scales on a par with those offered to the Central Government staff under the Seventh Pay Commission.

For the employees who have been in service for long, the pay panel is expected to give a minimal hike, as their pay scales are already far above the scales of Central Government staff.

The benefits given to employees (over and above the pay and allowances) could also be merged with new pay scales. The Dynamic and Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme will be strengthened and introduced across the board. Allowances, such as medical reimbursement, could also be increased.

It is learnt that the instalments of dearness allowance due since 2016 will be merged with the basic pay of the staff. The amount will be deposited in the provident fund.

There could be more provisions made under the new pension scheme (applicable to those appointed after January 1, 2004). Even the contractual employees and those employed through outsourcing of work could get a reasonable hike.

The pay panel, after having heard representations of 600 unions, has now sent a questionnaire to all departments seeking their feedback on the enhanced scales.