Skip to content Skip to navigation

Pay hike

By editor |

This is regarding the report submitted by the 6thAssam Pay Commission. From the partial report made public by the Govt., it is apparent that apart from Grade-IV employees of Assam, no one is going to benefit from it. The so-called experts of the Pay Commission with Mr Bhaskar Barua (retd. IAS) and the Mr H S Das, Finance Secretary of Assam at the helm of affairs, have deliberately recommended a report with lot of discrepancies which may be summarised as follows -


1. Employees of the rank of Junior Engineers, Sub-Inspectors, others who are in the equivalent pay scale of 3490-8100 & 3580-8750 etc. in Assam have been recommended for the pay band 5200-20200 with grade pay 2500 & 2600. The Central Govt. has placed them in the pay band 9300-34000 (earlier scale 5000-8000, 5500-9000, 6500-10500) with Grade pay 4000, 4200, 4600 & 4800. Thanks to Mr Bhaskar Barua & Associates, these sections of employees would now draw a gross amount of Rs.9000-11000 less than their Central counterparts.


2. Before Central Govt. employees were awarded pay hike, all positions in the Govt. of Assam has been trailing by an amount of Rs.1000-5000 in their basic pay corresponding to the Central Govt. employees e.g. Section Officers in Central were in the pay scale 6500-10500 while in Assam it was 5375-10700, Junior Engineers in Central were getting 5000-8000, in Assam it was 3580-8750, Sub-Inspectors in Central were getting 5500-9000 while in Assam it was 3490-8100, Inspectors in Central departments were in the pay scale 6500-10500 while it was 3760-9400 in Assam.


Now, for fixing new pay scales, Assam Pay Commission, like the Central Pay Commission, has recommended to multiply the existing pay scale with a factor 1.86. Since, there was considerable difference of the pay scales in pre-revised state, I wonder how does the State Pay Commission expects to bridge the gap by multiplying the scales with the same factor of 1.86. This factor certainly needs to be increased.


3. The annual increment formula provided by Central Govt. is 3% of Basic pay + Grade pay while the Assam Pay Commission has recommended 1%. Is it the Commission’s plan to bring about parity corresponding to Central Govt. employees when State Govt. employees would trail by 2% each year than the employees of Central Govt. which would have overwhelming repercussions on a service holder’s career?


That and more, it seems that many entry level employees would get lower increments than the existing pattern. For e.g. 3490-8100, 3580-8750 has Rs.90 as initial annual increment. If placed in 5200-20200 with Grade pay 2500 & 2600, their annual increment would be 5200+2500/2600 = 7700/7800. Their annual increment at 1% works out to Rs.77/78 which is Rs.12/13 less than the existing annual increment.


Further, State Civil Services have also been greatly deprived of their rights since most States of our country pay State Civil Services equivalent to the Central Administrative Services.


Furthermore, what is the point in constituting a Pay Review Committee with the same Finance Secretary who was member of the Pay Commission?


This is a nation where legislators increase their own salary & perks simply by thumping on the Assembly & Parliamentary desks; IAS, IPS, Professors, Lecturers, etc. draw equivalent pay scales irrespective of the State they are working or bothering about the financial condition of the States. These are the privileged class of employees in this nation and not any Group-II, III or IV employee as always reported. Grade-II, III & IV employees always find it difficult to make both ends meet. This in turn exacerbates corrupt practices. It needs to be understood that these employees are also part of the common mass and they are tax-payers too. Unless an employee is provided adequate financial benefit at the start of his career, he/she cannot remain honest or turn into an honest person when he gets a decent salary.


The Govt. of Assam should understand that double standards promoted by unscrupulous politicians and bureaucrats are no longer acceptable. Logic, scientific & economic research, equivalence, transparency & goodwill should be the benchmark for recommending better pay & perks in this era of competitiveness, otherwise, the Govt. of Assam should be prepared to witness degradation of quality & more corrupt practices in the coming days.


P.Saikia 9th Bye Lane, Lachit Nagar, Guwahati

Comments

rajkamalbaruah's picture

Submitted by rajkamalbaruah on Sat, 31/10/2009 - 14:31
very well perceived , a man of good intent, all the facts are very relevant,but does anyone care?
hemanta kalita's picture

Submitted by hemanta kalita on Tue, 03/11/2009 - 02:39
Very well calculation. These are boiling in mind of thousands of employees. What the hell these beauracrates prepared.
Bishwanath Majumdar's picture

Submitted by Bishwanath Majumdar on Sun, 08/11/2009 - 14:21
Well, your thinking is very progressive. I like to acclarate it. Formula for anomaly free & equal pay to the central Govt. employee counterpart is Existing Basic Pay X 2.86+Central Grade Pay = new basic pay. Example: 5500x1.86+4200=14430 & 3580x2.86+4200=14440. Please note the difference and try to circulate. Thanks.
rajiv sarmah's picture

Submitted by rajiv sarmah on Tue, 26/01/2010 - 01:18
The logics are very good. It is certain that the state govt. of assam is unable to pay its employees equivalent to central govt. employees as Assam's economic scenario is not so sound. But it should pay all the employees same percentage lower than their central counterparts except the fourth-grades as for livelihood a minimum amount is required for everyone. that will be proper justice for all categories of employees.
one DDO's picture

Submitted by one DDO on Sun, 28/03/2010 - 15:48
My opinion after submitting Paybill: 1) new AE are hAPPY. 2) JE R VERY UNHAPPY TO BE EQUATED WITH CLERKS 3) CLERKS R HAPPY because THEY NEED NOT COME AT 9 AM 4) PEON/DRIVERS R CELEBRATING ... And ME?????...... WHO BOTHERS ABOUT officers LIKE ME?... NEITHER THE CHIEF SECY... NOR MY WIFE.. NO MONEY to BUY OFFICE STATIONERY.. ... STILL.HAVING TO. SLOG WITH REPORTS...MEETINGS...DONATIONS..FIELD VISITS... DHOMKI...FROM DC.. LOCAL. MLA...threat of transfer before every election......AND WAITING ETERNALLY FOR A PAY SLIP FROM THE A.G. FOR SOME PAY HIKE....SO THAT MY SWEET HALF CAN HAVE BALL AT BIGBAZARS... SOHUMS. .PANTALOONS... STill my dear banker friend does not find my salary fit enough for a decent housing LOAN!!! Hail & salute to Pay Commission' Assam, 2009
Sudip Kumar Roy's picture

Submitted by Sudip Kumar Roy on Mon, 05/07/2010 - 02:17
Very well calculation.Is the anomaly committee formed by the Assam Govt.on 6th Pay Commission look in to thiss article?
M Medhi's picture

Submitted by M Medhi on Tue, 05/10/2010 - 21:10
Recommendation of 6th Pay Commission in regard hike of salary is discriminatory because some caders of employee are getting hike much more than expectation while few others much below their expectation. There should have a minimum and maximum limitation on the quantum of hike. I would like to request anomaly committee to take into account of the agrieved employees as they have to approach becuase they are loosing a lot from Pay Commission, on the other hand those who benifitted a lot do not feel to appraoch anamoly committee. Sirs, this is not a losing or winning game, it is soly concerned with the lively hood of the employees. Hoping your consideration.
Shantanu Biswas's picture

Submitted by Shantanu Biswas on Thu, 07/10/2010 - 23:22
Inquity in pay hike is creating ‘White Elephants’ in India----- Till the other day, a lecturer who got a pay package of Rs. 25000/- suddenly gets Rs. 62000/- after implementation of the 6th pay commission by the University Grants Commission. No sooner one joins a university as a lecturer, the person is entitled to Rs. 40000/- and by the time one becomes professor and head of department, one pockets a salary of Rs. 97000/- to Rs. 1 lakh. But what is the justification of such a massive increase in salary. A person who was not performing well as a teacher at Rs. 25,000/- is likely to be even more lazy when his or her salary is more than double, say Rs. 62,000/-. These faculty are not accountable for the students nor are they involved and dedicated like the professors of the bygone days. They cannot inspire students nor think independently nor challenge existing ideas like the professors in the West, nor do they have to prove themselves to the UGC once appointed in a faculty position. They are happy with the thought that they have got a lifelong easy job with very less stress and tension. Most of the faculty in Indian universities and colleges spend their time lazing around and the only thing they do best is to keep the higher authorities in good humour for further promotions and facilities. The UGC has not been able to determine a proper pay package for the private colleges and universities running in the nook and corner of the country. The faculty working in these institutions are no less talented or less deserving. For several reasons, they might not be fortunate to bag a job in a government run educational institution. Though these teachers work for 10 hours, they never get paid beyond Rs. 10,000/-. Most of the teachers in private colleges are paid between Rs. 8000 to Rs. 9000/-. On top of being underpaid, their salary is deducted when they take a leave. They donot enjoy any providend fund facility nor any other added perks. Just as the tax-payer’s money is going waste in having the arrangement called Rajya Sabha, so also ex-chequers money is wasted on paying teachers in colleges and universities. Though there is a massive increase in salary, there is no governing or monitoring body to check the performance of the faculty and staff members who have bagged a job with a government sector undertaking. As a result, like the Rajya Sabha members, college teachers and university faculty have become the ‘White Elephants’ for a country with such disparity in income. India is facing a disparity in income like never before. While some sections in the government service sector is seeing huge hike in salary, other people woking in different areas are struggling to make both ends meet. The government should be able to implement hike in salaries of other professions like the judiciary, lawyers, journalists, editors, or even people working in unorganized sector like the milkman, newspaper hawker, bus drivers etc. if we are to have a society with somewhat equitable distribution of income and peace and prosperity. Revised pay scale should be there for all professions. These people are indispensible for the country and work far harder than our lazy teachers and carefree professors. If the government does not take necessary action in implementing adequate wages and salary scale to people engaged in other professions, there will be further rise in corruption and crime. Already in the last decade, the divide between haves and have-nots have escalated to unprecedented levels in India.

Pages

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Huge rally in Guwahati against B’deshi

Around 10,000 people joined Assam Jatiyabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad’s massive protest rally on Saturday in Guwahati demanding expulsion of illegal immigrants from the state. The protestors further demanded quick update of the National Register of Citizens. People of all walks of life joined the rally with slogans seeking immediate ouster of foreigners, immediate update of the NRC and slammed the state and the Centre. They also accused the government of aiding and abetting the immigrants. The rally is amongst the many that have had been organized in the state in the last few fortnights. On September 6, the North East Students' Organisation, in association with All Assam Students' Union...

Police remand for Maskara killers

A local court in Nalbari remanded two youths to six days police custody a day after the duo were charged of killing a local businessman Ashsis Maskara in the town on Friday. Police produced the Chandan Kalita and Kunaldeep Sindhu before the court who sent them to police custody on Saturday. During police interrogation hours after the incident, they confessed that they attacked the businessman. Police further recovered 5 lakh rupees from their possession. Maskara was shot dead when he was on his way to a bank.

FDI: Gogoi sees no threat for UPA govt

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday said that there was no threat to the UPA government after the Union cabinet decided to proceed with the FDI on retail. Talking to reporters in Delhi, Gogoi said that Mamata Banerjee can’t prevent other states from implementing the FDI decision. Gogoi said that the benefits of economic reforms initiated by Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister in early 1990s is being reaped by everyone now and yesterday's decision would be cherished by everyone in the years to come.

FDI move to benefit farmers: CM

Defying the countrywide resistance, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday welcomed the 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail. Talking to reporters in Delhi on Saturday he said that those opposed to it should not prevent others. He called the decision a bold one and said that under no circumstances should it be reversed. According to him, it would benefit the farmers, consumers and boost the rural economy with the setting up of cold storage and other infrastructure. Gogoi was among the first to ask the Centre to take the decision of FDI in multi-brand retail as it would help in the growth of small and medium enterprises, cottage industries and overall rural economy.

PM-Reddy effigies burnt in Barpeta

The Asom Gana Parishad on Saturday burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Petroleum Minister S Jaypal Reddy in the district protesting against the steep diesel price hike. AGP workers in Barpeta district unit shouted slogans against the UPA government and demanded immediate roll back of the price hike that will lead to economic hardship of the people. District leaders said that the UPA government does not think about the general people's problem as the price of all petroleum products and essential goods will naturally rise.

B’deshi immigrant nabbed in Guwahati

Amid an all out drive against immigrants, railway police on Saturday arrested an illegal Bangladeshi migrant from the Guwahati station. The Bangladeshi national was apprehended from platform number No 3 during an operation by the RPF. He was identified as 30-year-old Mohamed Ali, a resident of Bangladesh's Mirpur.

Alert in Guwahati on ULFA threat

Security has been beefed up in Guwahati following ULFA’s threat to strike in the city with car blast. Checking has been intensified following intelligence inputs that cadres of ULFA opposed to peace talks between the rival faction and New Delh have been trying to sneak into the city. People have been asked to alert police about suspicious Maruti vans. All entry and exit routes are under strict vigil.

Financial supports to journalists/ families

Ajmal Foundation has shown its gesture for some affected journalists of Assam. Under its Ajmal Media Welfare Scheme, the foundation has offered financial supports to 6 media persons in a function held at Guwahati Press Club on September 14, 2012. The foundation has offered Rs 75000 to the closed relative of Raihan Nayum, a reporter of Ganachabuk, who was killed on September 8 last in Dhubri. Similarly Raj Kumar Sahu (DY365 with Rs 50000), Amulya Nath (NewsLive with Rs 25000), Sarat Das (NewsLive with Rs 25000), Lalit Sarma (DY365 with Rs 25000) and Kulen Kalita (Janambhumi with Rs 25000) were also awarded. Khasrul Islam, manager of Ajmal Foundation, who was present on the occasion...

ULFA strikes in Digboi with blast

At least six people have been injured when suspected ULFA militants exploded a powerful bomb in Tinsukia district on Saturday. The explosion took place in the heart of Digboi town at around 7-15 in the evening where one of these six people were seriously injured. Top ranked police and civil officials rushed to the spot and cordoned off the entire area to nab the culprits. The injured have been shifted to the hospital. But no outfit has so far claimed the responsibility.

Accused BPF MLA released on bail

Bodoland Peoples' Front MLA Pradeep Brahma on Friday was released a day after the Gauhati high court granted him bail. Brahma, who is lodged in Kokrajhar jail, was granted bail on Thursday in all cases filed against him, against two sureties of Rs 30,000 each. The high court asked Brahma to deposit his passport at the sub divisional judicial magistrate's court in Kokrajhar and take permission of the concerned magistrate before visiting the violence-hit places there. It also directed him to cooperate with the police in case of further investigations. Brahma was arrested on August 22 on the basis of seven FIRs lodged against him at Dotoma and Fakiragram police stations in Kokrajhar.