It is unfortunate that some government employees are unhappy with the decision of the Centre to hike their pay (“ >Cabinet clears 23.5% hike in pay for Central govt. staff ” and “ >Disgruntlement at pay panel proposals ”, both June 30). Their concerns may be genuine but there is no end to demands. It is a fact that the working conditions of employees have improved vastly over the years; there are increments, DA, LTC and reimbursement of various expenses which government staff of an earlier era would have never heard of. For instance, my father who was a Central government employee before the 1970s could not even avail of leave, not to talk about other benefits, for want of a substitute employee. While staff benefits have improved, customer service has deteriorated in government organisations.
Kshirasagara Balaji Rao,
Hyderabad
It is shocking that despite the hefty hike in pay and allowances, there is dissatisfaction — as well as threats of an indefinite strike. Have these staff thought about their counterparts in the private sector who are paid far less despite better output and the more than 50 per cent of the population in the BPL category with no fixed regular income and an uncertain future?
K.R. Srinivasan,
Secunderabad
While this is sure to result in States having to bear a greater financial burden, I wonder whether it will result in any improvement in the quality of service to the average citizen. It seems to be manna for government employees, while their counterparts in the private sector have to struggle with “hire and fire” policies of employers.
Vikas Kamat,
Aquem, Goa
Do Central and State government staff really deserve such a huge hike? Private sector employees work with more determination, integrity and loyalty though they are paid much less. There are lots of government departments where staff earn extra money through illegal means. Even after hefty salary hikes, there seem to be no improvements in working conditions and rampant irregularities continue as usual in most government departments.
Madhava Rao,
Bengaluru
The calculation arrived at — “23.5% hike in pay” — is distorted. The increase stated conveniently does not mention that the present DA of 125 per cent has been merged with the present basic pay to arrive at the new basic pay. The new basic pay will not have any DA component by DA neutralisation. In view of this, the hike is less than 15 per cent. In fact the Seventh Pay Commission mentions in paragraph 5.1.27 that the actual raise/fitment being recommended is 14.29 per cent. A number of existing allowances are removed and the actual benefit will remain only around 12 per cent for most cadres. As this revision comes after 10 years, the rise is meagre.
S. Viswanathan,
Kattur, Tamil Nadu
Though I am not covered by the Seventh CPC, as a Central public sector undertaking employee I do know that the actual hike (which can be compared to last Pay Commission) is 14.28 per cent. This is not at all a huge hike.
M. Kamalakannan,
Chennai
