THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the government reels under financial crisis, the Cabinet on Wednesday approved a hefty pay hike for the chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission (PSC). The salary of the chairman will increase from Rs 2.26 lakh to Rs 3.5 lakh, while members’ salaries will rise from Rs 2.23 lakh to Rs 3.25 lakh.
A note issued after the Cabinet meeting stated that the chairman’s salary and benefits were revised on par with the highest pay in super time scale of a district judge and that members at par with the highest pay in selection grade scale of district judges.
The decision was made after reviewing the salary and benefits of commissions in other states. There will be a corresponding increase in other benefits and pensions for the chairman and members. The PSC had previously recommended a salary revision, but the Cabinet had deferred the decision multiple times. The PSC has 21 members.
Satheesan slams salary hike
Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan strongly criticised the decision, terming it an open challenge to the people. He accused the government of ignoring the ongoing protest by ASHA workers in front of the secretariat, whose honorarium have been pending for three months.
“The same government that fails to pay ASHA workers has increased the salaries of those who already earn lakhs per month. KSRTC staff and pensioners are not getting their payments in time.
The government has also defaulted on three months’ social security pensions for the elderly, widows, and differently-abled people,” he said. Satheesan blamed the government’s splurge for the current crisis. He accused the government of burdening common people with cess and rate hikes.
Other Cabinet decisions
Former IAS officer Asha Thomas replaces P H Kurian as chairperson of the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority (KRERA)
Title deeds will be granted to 23 residents living on poramboke land in Kondotty, Malappuram. The mineral rights of the property to be vested with the government