Why are central government employees so keen to know about the
interim report?
A
few months ago, excitement was sparked by an opinion expressed by the Karnataka
Pensioners Association’s chief, Ramnath Rao, after his meeting with the members
of the 7th Pay Commission.
He
said that the chairman of the 7th Pay Commission had told him that an interim report would be presented only if the Government gives its
direction.
Last
month, on the 25th, the Ministry of Finance presented a written reply to a
question raised during the Parliamentary session. The reply stated that the
Government had given complete autonomy to the Pay Commission to function
without any interference from them. The Commission has, until now, not
presented any report to the Government. And, as stated in the Terms of
Reference, the Commission will submit its report to the Government within the
stipulated time.
Why
this curiosity about interim report?
The
transparency in the functioning of the Commission is a laudable one. The
regular updates on its website about the Commission’s activities too have
received positive response from one and all.
For
more than three years, there has been a demand to add 50% Dearness Allowance
with the basic salary of the Central Staff. After the demand for interim relief
too has strengthened. All Central Government employees federations are fighting
in order to get these demands fulfilled.
The
Centre continues to reject these demands. The Government explains that 50% DA
was added to the basic salary only because the 5th Pay Commission had made the
recommendation. There were no such recommendations in the 6th Pay Commission.
The Government has also clarified that interim relief will be granted only if
the Pay Commission recommends it. It is under these circumstances that the Pay
Commission’s interim report gains significance.
Nearly
ten months have passed since the 7th Pay Commission was constituted. With only
eight more months to go, it remains to be seen if an interim report will be
presented. Even if a report is presented, will it recommend interim relief to
the employees?
All
things come to those who wait..!