BENGALURU: The term of the Seventh Pay Commission, constituted to revise the pay scale of government employees in Karnataka, has been extended by six months. The Commission was constituted on November 19, 2022, with retired IAS officer Sudhakar Rao heading it, with a tenure of six months.
With its term coming to an end, the State government has extended it by six months, starting May 19. The Commission is in consultation with various departments, and is expected to take some more time. It may be recalled that in March this year, just before election dates were announced, the Karnataka State Government Employees’ Association had staged a dharna, demanding a 40 per cent hike and implementation of the 7th Pay Commission.
Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had convinced them to call off the strike by giving a 17 per cent hike. The government had assured them that their demands would be considered after the Pay Commission had submitted its report.
Karnataka Government Employees’ Association president C S Shadakshari told The New Indian Express that due to the model code of conduct, the Commission could not hold meetings with departments and organisations as the Election Commission did not give permission for it, and had led to a delay.