VI CPC (3)

Govt approved Sixth Pay Commission report

The government has on 14 Aug 08 approved the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, heaping civil & defense staff with a salary hike bonanza on the eve of the country’s 61st Independence Day.

Highlights

1) The new pay commission’s recommendations will be effective from January, 2006 as the term of the Fifth Pay Commission ended on December 31, 2005. However, the arrears will not be disbursed in one go but will be divided into two components to be given by the end of next year. 40% of the arrears will be disbursed in 2008, while the remaining 60% will be doled out in 2009.

2) The revised pay scale will be effective from next month.

3) As per the cleared proposal, the minimum basic pay for government employees has been revised to Rs 7000, while the minimum salary per month at the lowest level will now be Rs 10000.

4) There will be a uniform 3% raise in basic pay every year against the current 2.5% norm.

5) At least three assured promotions for all defence forces personnel and civilian employees under the modified Assured Career Progression scheme. While civilians would get this after 10, 20 and 30 years of service, defence forces jawans would be promoted under ACP after 8, 16 and 24 years.

6) Mid-level defence personal will be now placed in the higher pay scale. Also, the defence and paramilitary personal to get more allowances.

7) Military service pay for persons below the officer rank would be Rs 2,000 per month, while for officers it would be Rs 6000 per month.

8). Substantial hike in salaries of Brigadiers as they will now be in Pay Band 4 (Rs 39,200-67,000) from the suggested Pay Band 3 (Rs 15,600-39,100).

9) Government doctors with 20 or more years of service can be promoted to joint secretary level. Non-practicing doctors also to get special allowance.

10) No Cabinet Secretary rank for Intelligence Bureau chief, the three Service chiefs and others in that league.

11) DIG-scale abolished in IPS & Indian Forest Service.

12) Group D personnel to stay (peons in ministries and porters in Railways).

13) Central and defence pensioners will also get benefit from the new recommendations.

14) The financial implications, with the implementation of the new structure, for the central government for the year 2008-09 will be Rs 15,700, while for the railways it will be to the tune of Rs 6400.