7th CPC: 3.07 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks rejoice, but 48 lakh govt employees minimum pay scale issue sees no clarity

7th Pay Commission: 3.07 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks rejoice, but 48 lakh govt employees minimum pay scale issue sees no clarity 

On June 06, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the revision in the wage structure and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts.

Looks like the government is on move to hike salaries for a list of categories and state employees, however, is still not ready to give any clarity to what happens minimum pay scale and fitment factor issue of somewhat 48 lakh employees under 7th Pay Commission (7CPC). Since the time 7CPC recommendations have been approved 48 lakh central government employees have shown dissatisfaction, as they believe the revision in their pay scale and fitment factor is still low and does not really add any valuation in their living conditions. Many promises have been made by government that they are seriously considering these employees issues but so far every news circulating in this regards have shattered their hopes. But with the elections right around the corner, the NDA government rather choose to make some revisions for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of posts and even Mizoram state employees, instead of looking in hiking pay scale of the central government employees.

On June 06, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the revision in the wage structure and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts.

Revision in the wage structure would entail an estimated expenditure of Rs 1257.75 crore (Non-recurring expenditure – Rs 860.95 crore and Recurring expenditure of Rs.396.80 crore) during 2018-19.

3.07 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks will be benefitted by this wage revision.

Details:

Time Related Continuity allowance (TRCA) structure and slabs have been rationalised.  The total GDSs have been brought under two categories viz. Branch Postmasters (BPMs) and other than Branch Postmasters namely Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPMs).

The present 11 TRCA slabs will be merged into only three TRCA Slabs with two levels each for BPMs and other than BPMs.

Introduction of new Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) will be as below:

Minimum TRCA of two types of proposed categories of GDSs as per working hours / levels
S.No.	Category	Minimum TRCA for 4 Hours / Level 1	Minimum TRCA for 5 Hours / Level 2
1	BPM	Rs. 12000/-	Rs. 14500/-
2	ABPM/Dak Sevaks	Rs. 10000/-	Rs. 12000/-

Dearness Allowance will continue to be paid as a separate component, and also revised from time to time whenever it is revised for Central Government Servants.

It is decided to continue the calculation of the ex-gratia bonus by applying the calculation ceiling of Rs.7000 as basic TRCA + DA till such time a new scheme is devised.

Arrears for the period 1.1.2016 to the date of implementation will be paid by increasing the basic TRCA drawn during the period by a factor of 2.57. The arrears will be paid in one instalment.

Annual increase at the rate of 3% and the same may be given on 1st January or 1st July of every year as the case may be based on the one time written request of GDSs.

A new Risk and hardship Allowance has been introduced. Other allowances Viz. Office maintenance allowance, Combined duty allowance, Cash conveyance charges, Cycle maintenance allowance, Boat allowance and Fixed Stationery Charges have been revised.

Further, the Mizoram government has also decided to  pay enhanced pay scales to the state government employees in relation with recommendations under 7CPC.

The state government employees would get enhanced pay effective from January 1, 2016 but would enjoy financial benefits with effect from September 1, 2018, the officials said in The Financial Express.

Reportedly, the decision of the state cabinet would benefit around 42,000 regular employees and other employees numbering around 34,000.

While these employees will see ‘ache din’ in their pay scale, 48 central government employees still struggle.

Meanwhile, central government employees want fitment factor of 3.68 times with minimum pay scale of Rs 26,000. This is after the Union Cabinet revised their minimum pay to Rs 18,000 from previous Rs 7,000 per month, along with fitment factor of 2.57 in June 2016 leading to a major hike in all central government employees salaries.

It was known that, the government may hike minimum pay to Rs 21,000 and fitment factor to 3.00 times. However, the NDA government at centre claimed that they are not really looking to hike minimum pay beyond the recommendations provided in the 7th CPC report.