THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ahead of the crucial Assembly Election, the Oommen Chandy government on Wednesday decided to implement the 10th Pay Revision Commission report with moderate amendments, with retrospective effect from July 2014.
The government employees and pensioners in the state will get revised pay and benefits from March. The revision which would benefit around 5 lakh government employees and more than 5 lakh pensioners, would cost the state exchequer an additional financial burden of Rs 7,222 crore. Now, around 80 per cent of the state’s total revenue, will go for paying salary and pension.
The Chief Minister said the salary/pension arrears from July 2014 to March 2016 would be distributed in four half-yearly instatement from April 2017. “Unlike previous times, the government has decided to give arrears in 2.5 years. Interest would also be given at PF rate. Pension arrears would also be given in the same manner,” Chandy said.
Government has brought in three changes in the recommendations by the Justice Ramachandran Nair Pay Revision Commission. The master scale has been fixed at a minimum Rs 16,500, while Commission had recommended it as Rs 17,000. Changes were brought in time scales as per the common formula recommended.
The Commission had recommended for scale upgrading. But the government had limited the increasing of pay scale to one level for scales below 24040-38840. Those above this scale will not get any upgraded scale. The cabinet did not sanction new higher grades.
For existing higher grades, recommended hike has been limited to 2:1 (for lower scales) and 3:1 (for higher scales, 24040-38840 onwards).