The state government employees hoping to take home a fat pay packet in May were in for a disappointment, as their May salary did not reflect the hike promised by the Chief Minister in his Budget speech. While, the finance department is busy working out the revised pay and allowances, the secretariat employees have planned to stage a protest on Friday, over the ‘inadequate and misleading’ hike.
According to department sources, the revised Pay has been worked out and published (G.O. dated April 21, 2012), while the revised allowances remain to be worked out. In all, the additional outgo on account of the revision is estimated to be Rs 4,450 crore per annum and would benefit about 5.5 lakh government employees. However, some sections of the employees are demanding a ‘proper hike’ as the revision is taking place after seven years.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle L. Byrappa, president of Karnataka State Government Employees Association said, “The revised allowance may be worked out in about 10 days. We are hopeful our June salary will have the new salary and arrears.” The CM had announced that the pay revision was based on the recommendations of the Official Pay Committee, which submitted its report on March 12 and that it would be with effect from April 1. But the revision exercise is bound to take longer. “It is a tough exercise as heads and subheads have to be worked out for pay scales. We have published booklets on the revised pay structure, which is available online. The second booklet will be published soon,” said sources.