7th Central Pay Commission (CPC): Issues and Expectations
Every ten years, the Central Government of India sets up a Central Pay
Commission (CPC) to revise the pay scales of its employees. Since these pay
scales are largely adopted by state governments as well, they influence the
income of millions of households.
During 2013, time seemed to be running out for the constitution of the next
Commission before the beginning of the election cycle. But on September 25,
2013, a week before the election-related Code of Conduct became effective, the
government set up the Seventh Central Pay Commission. This commission will
review and revise the salary and pensions of 50 lakh (5 million) or more
Central Government employees. Now that it is constituted, the Commission will
most likely be able to implement its recommendations by the scheduled date of
January 1, 2016.
Duties of the Seventh Central Pay Commission
On Feb 28, 2014, the Cabinet approved the terms of reference of the 7th CPC.
The CPC is expected to suggest a merger of 50% of DA (daily allowance) with
basic pay, which would increase the gross salary of Central Government
employees by around 30%. The Cabinet has approved an additional 10% DA over the
existing 90% admissible DA, effective January 1, 2014. This increase would be
paid in cash after the disbursement of March salary. The 7th CPC is required to
submit its recommendation within a year and a half of its date of constitution.
Major issues to be resolved
1. Pay Parity between IAS & other government services: Hundreds of
letters are sent by IAS officers to the concerned government officials
apprehending that the seventh central pay commission may try to restore parity
between different government services in terms of compensation and career
progression. It is to be seen how 7th CPC and government deals with this
crucial issue.
2. Pay parity with private sector: Central services have demanded to
every pay commission to create parity with the officers of private sectors and
make their salary structure comparable to later.
3. Retirement age: There is no denial of the fact that working efficiency
of an employee is influenced by the increasing age but experience often weighs
heavily over the age factor. Even then looking at attitude of present
government impression is clear that pay commission is signaled to reduce the
retirement age of government employees. Whatever circumstantial indications are
available it shows that either 33 years of service of 60 years of age
(whichever is minimum) is likely to be recommended. If media reports have ant
substance of truth, under performers may be asked to opt for voluntary
retirement after reaching the age of 55 years.
4. Pay gaps between least & highest paid employees: In 1947, gaps in
salary between lowest and highest paid government employee was in the 1:41
ratio that got reduced to 1:12 by subsequent pay commissions. It has to be
observed whether this gap is widened or reduced by the 7th CPC.
5. Continuing with grade pay system? It would be interesting to note
whether 7th CPC continue grade pay system or adopts old pay scale system. As
per reliable sources, grade pay system will not longer exists in 7th CPC
structure. A table is circulating in the media predicting projected pay scales
believed to be suggested by 7th CPC.
What are the hottest rumors?
1. Central Government is willing to merge 50% DA with basic pay with effect
from 1.1.2015 – All Government employees would be happy if it has happened,
2. Age of Retirement will be determined based on completion of 33 Years of
service or at the age of 58/60/62/65 Years (depending on existing retirement
age in various departments) whichever is earlier.
Members of the Seventh Central Pay Commission
Chairman – Ashok Kumar Mathur (Former Supreme Court Justice and Former
Chairman, Armed Forces Tribunal)
Full time member – Vivek Rae (oil secretary)
Part time member – Rathin Roy (Director, NIPFP)
Secretary – Meena Agarwal (OSD, Department of Expenditure)
Latest update
Union Cabinet chaired by PM on August 26, 2015 gave its
approval for extension to 7th CPC to submit its report by the end of December
2015.
As per reports in media, 7th CPC is likely to maintain
status quo on the retirement age. However, some unconfirmed sources didn’t rule
out the possibility of a suggestion from Pay Commission to the government that
the earliest of either 33 years of service length or 60 years of age may be
considered as a criteria for superannuation of central government employees.
Recommendation for pay hike is likely to be low after
merging the existing basic pay and dearness allowances. Merging the both
component mean 155% rise and adding 25-35% extra makes it 1.8 to 1.9 times in
terms of basic to basic.
Grade Pay is likely to be abolished by 7th CPC and gaps between
pay scales may widen and hence 7th CPC scale may some what follow the earlier
pay formats (as in 3rd, 4th or 5th CPC)
Government may not risk any adverse effect of disclosures
related to pay recommendations on election prospects in upcoming Bihar elections.
Implementation Dates of Previous Pay Commission
Recommendations
January 1, 1986 – 4th Pay Commission
January 1, 1996 – 5th Pay Commission
January 1, 2006 – 6th Pay Commission
The Pay Commission Process
Implementation of a Pay Commission’s recommendations always leaves behind a few
anomalies for the next commission to resolve. Making recommendations for pay
revision is a long process, involving discussion with various organizations,
submission of demands by representatives of unions and associations, and
evaluating the potential financial impact of these demands on the national
exchequer. Representatives of various organizations are asked to make
presentations. The Pay Commission examines service conditions, pay, and perks
given to employees.
All the earlier Commissions set up to revise the pay of Indian Central
Government employees—except the 6th CPC—took more than three years to submit
their report. The Sixth Pay Commission submitted its report within just eight
months. Nevertheless, such a quick turnaround cannot be taken for granted for
future Pay Commissions, since the timing of report submission and the nature of
the recommendations are influenced by political and economic considerations.
Rationale for the Seventh Pay Commission
The constitution of the Seventh Pay Commission is justified for the reasons
listed below.
Daily Allowance (DA) has already exceeded 100% of basic pay,
and it cannot be merged with basic pay due to the recommendations of the 6th
CPC.
Since the wages of some categories of non-government
employees are revised at intervals of less than ten years, wages should be
revised every five years for central government employees also.
Prompt pay revision of Central Government employees will
help reduce the increasing disparities between Central Government employees,
public sector employees, bankers, and private sector employees.
How much increase in salary is expected after 7th CPC implementation
Other expected tasks for the 7th Pay Commission include
resolving anomalies created by the 6th CPC and addressing bonuses and problems
related to the new pension program. All sections of employees will get an
opportunity to present pay-related problems to the new Pay Commission and
request redress of their grievances.
A new demand gaining support is constitution of a National Pay Panel that will
make recommendations for all employees of the country. Since most of the states
have adopted for their own employees the pay structure suggested by the 6th CPC
for Central Government employees, uniform recommendations would remove
discrimination between state and central employees. Recommending a uniform wage
structure for each and every employee of India would also reduce pay
disparities between private, public and autonomous organizations.
My poll indicates that 39% believe that Central Government employees are likely
to get a threefold raise in salary. This is consistent with what was done in
the past by earlier pay commissions. Given the existing trend in DA increase,
salary may increase 2.3 times by the implementation date of the 7th CPC.
Projected pay scales under this assumption are shown below.
Projected Pay Scales (After Implementation of the 7th CPC)
A projection based on media report is reproduced below. However, a fake report
in the name of 7th CPC is also being circulated in the media by some miscreants.
7th CPC has been granted extension by the Government of India to submit it
report by the end of December 2015. It would be clear after the submission of
report by 7th CPC what content it has submitted to the ministry for acceptance.
Further, each and every point in the report will be examined by the cabinet and
approved after considering all the implications. Till then enjoy and go through
the speculations made by experts.
7th CPC as per some media reports has eliminated grade pay system and
recommended pay scales similar to earlier pay commissions.
A better way to get rid of corruption in public life than across-the-board
increases would be to legalize a commission on services by each and every
employee. This would also help improve the productivity of private sector
employees. In some private or autonomous banking institutions, for example,
employees are paid a reasonable percentage for accomplishments such as
encouraging customers to open more accounts.
Wage revision is expected for Central Government employees effective January 1,
2016. The newly constituted Pay Commission will get two years to review the
existing wage structure and suggest a new one, to meet the expectation of
employees, and also to increase efficiency at work at a pace with the growth in
the economy.
The Seventh Pay Commission needs to introduce more parity into the pay
structure of various sectors. Employees in all departments have been vested
with more responsibilities, but their pay structure still belongs to the
British period. People serving in the police and armed forces have very low
salaries although their duties have become enormously more challenging.
Government should increase the compensation to its officers for any
service-related casualty. Police forces working under adverse conditions and in
remote areas must be paid high wages and good benefits so that more people join
these organizations.
The new pension system implemented based on the recommendations of the 6th CPC
needs to be revisited and reviewed by the 7th CPC, since the adequacy of fund
management depends on market forces and the capabilities of fund managers. The
7th Pay Commission needs to take some vigorous action, based on discussions
with trade unions, to come out with a more amicable solution for the new
pension scheme.
These are some of the things people genuinely expect from the government, but
time will tell how much people get from the CPC.
Source: Hubpages.com
