SALIENT FEATURES OF REVISED PAY STRUCTURE OF STATE GOVERNMENT Sikkim Employees are among the best paid The

recent allocation of State annual plan budget reflects a salary burden of Rs. 1,600 crore. That is quite a hefty sum to be spent on the payment of salaries. The last pay revision of 2006 shows the percentage increase in the salaries of the State Government employees. The pay Structure of Sikkim Government employees during the years preceding rule, to say the least, remained unremarkable vis--vis the Central Government employees Even after the enforcement of the 2nd pay Commission recommendations, the structural disparities which existed between these two categories of employees were largely unaddressed. Mindful of this disparity, the Government, in its very first term, took unprecedented steps to equalize the pay scale by accepting the recommendations of the 3rd pay Commission, which implied uni-from three-fold raise irrespective of Grades, in toto. Since the Government had identified primary education as one of the priority sectors, the pay scales of school teachers underwent a major change as well, surpassing even the ones prescribed for central Government Teachers. For instance, the pay scale of school mothers took a 266% leap and likewise, that of primary School Teacher 308% [see box for details]. In view of the non-promotional nature of their profession, the State Government their extended the incentive of Advancement Grade to all categories of the teacher fraternity. Primary Teaching could now become eligible for Advancement Grade on attainment of 10 years qualifying service instead 15 years. In the years 2004, anticipating the constitution of the 6th Pay Commission as also to offset the steep rise in prices, the Government of India allowed the merger of 50% DA with the basic pay of Central Government employees. This, besides granting great monetary interim relief, also formed a solid basis for subsequent enhancement afforded by the 6th Pay Commission. The State Government too, lost no time in adopting this pattern and thus laid the corner stone for substantial hike in the Pay Revision of 2006. Another outstanding feature of this revision was the restoration of Leave encashment facility to Group C & D employees. Significant Features of Growth in the Gross Salary under 2006 Pay Revision The Pay scale which hitherto had not somehow received due attention were looked into and dealt with more care in 2006 revision. To bring the Pay scale at par with the revision Central scales, which has been the basic demand of the State Government employees, the following measure were takeni. Adoption of the Central Government Pay Bands as they are, except a minor modification in case of PB IV of Rs. 32,2000 Rs. 60,000 corresponding to the Pre-revised Rs. 14,300 Rs. 18,300. this is unlike many State Governments which have worked out are generally lower than the Central Government ii. A number of Pay scales were upgraded [see box].

Others Lending continuity to the exercise of restructuring the Pay scales of government employees other than teachers, the government ensured overhauling and upgradation of the following posts: - OS and equivalent posts. -Forest Guards. -Excise Constables. -Checkers and Assistant Inspectors of IT & Ct Davison of FRED. -Staff Nurses. -ITI Workshop Assistant. - Craftsman Instructor. - Workshop Supdtd. Etc Conforming to Central Government employees are also State now covered under the Assured Career Progressive Scheme (ACP). Besides assuring three financial promotions opportunities. Very few State Government have provided ACP scheme and even if provided it is not to the extent of Governemnt of Sikkim. The State Government initiative of allowing equal playing field for all categories of employees has managed to dispel the sense of discrimination with regard to pay structures. Allowances and other benefits: DA-enhanced twice a years HRA-15% as against 10% of Central Govt. Employees. SBCA -10% (Status quo maintained) Difficult Area Allowance-10% maximum limit raised from 500 to 1000. High Altitude Allowance-Raised from Rs.500/- pm to Rs.1500/-pm Non practising Allowance for Medical Doctors-15% as against Rs.1000-1500. Additional benefits for employees posted outside the State: HRA- 20% Special Allowance-12.5% Childrens Education Allowance-at par with Central Government Rates. LTC-As compensation for dual establishments. This unparalleled gesture extended by the State Government fully recognizes and acknowledges the services rendered by all Government employees cutting across the official hierarchy. Comparison of the Revised pay scales of State and Central Government Employees: Being fully aware with the ground realities of employees in the lower rung of the ladder, the State Government had passed explicit orders for placement of group C & D employees on sound footing, if not better in relation to the rest of the groups, during the pay revision of 2006. Since the State Government was determined to bring about measurable differences in the financial state of the lower level functionaries, the 4th Pay Commission did away with the Central Government practice of segregating Group D personnel on the basis of their qualifications and skills. As mentioned earlier, teachers have been accorded the highest

3rd PAY COMMSSION-w.e.f. 01.01.1996 GARDE PRE-REVISED SCALE REVISED SCALE % INCREASE D (Lowest) 800-1060 2850-4150 17,700-21770 256 202

A (Highest) 5700-6700

POST School Mother Primary Teacher Teachers: Category Primary Teacher H.M.Pr.School G.T. HM. JHS III HM JHS II HM. SSII HM, SSI

PRE-REVISED SCALE 875-1275 1030-1660

REVISED SCALE 3200-4800 4200-5400

Pre-revised Rs. 4200-6400 Rs. 4300-6800 Rs. 5550-9000 Rs. 5700-9700 Rs. 7000-11500 Rs. 7500-12000 Rs. 9000-13800 Centre P.B. Rs. 5200-20200 Rs. 5200-20200 Rs. 5200-20200 Rs. 5200-20200 Rs. 5200-20200 Rs. 5200-20200

Upgraded 5000-8000 5500-9000 5700-9700 7000-11500 7500-12000 9000-13800 10000-15200

Revised PB GP PB 2 Rs. 4200 PB 2 Rs. 4400 PB 2 Rs. 4600 PB 2 Rs. 5000 PB 2 Rs. 5400 PB 3 Rs. 6200 PB 3 Rs. 6700

Category Group D Peon. Chowkidar etc. Daftry etc Police Constable etc LDC & equivalent H. Constable etc ASI

State G.P. P.B. 1800 Rs. 5200-20200 1900 Rs. 5200-20200 2000 Rs. 5200-20200 2000 Rs.5200-20200 2400 Rs. 5200-20200 2800 Rs.5200-20200

G.P. 2200 2300 2400 2600 3000 3400

Priority and in most cases the scale are equal or even better than their Central Government counter parts. They have not been discriminated based on their skill of being trained and untrained, qualification, work load etc. as is the case with the Central Government. Similar generous treatment has been extended right till the highest echelons of the bureaucracy. Annexure appended with this report amply enlightens the readers as to the wholesome and all pervading nature of the decisions taken by the Government with regard to revision of pay as recommended by the 4th pay commission. Comparison with other State Governments-As mentioned before, the revised pay scale of the State Government is at par with or in some cases, even higher than the Central Government. So, comparison with other State Governments pay scales would actually not be of much significance. However, for the sake of comparison, we have taken the revised pay scale of two states from North-East, viz; Assam and Manipur, the nearest state of west Bengal and another resource-wise advanced state of Punjab. A brief comparative analysis of our pay scales with these states is given below:

Assam: The posts-wise revised pay scales of Govt. of Sikkim and Assam show that our pay scales, barring a few exceptions, are comparatively better. The revised lowest pay scale of group D employees of Govt. of Assam is PB 1 of Rs. 4560-15000+Gp Rs. 1300 with minimum pay of Rs. 5860 compared to our Rs. 5200+ 20200+GP Rs. 2200 with minimum pay of Rs. 7400. the revised pay of Drivers of heavy vehicles, presumably the hihest in the category, is in the pay Band of Rs. 5200-20200+Grade pay Rs. 2000 (min pay Rs. 7380). Compared to this, the lowest pay of Grade III Driver in Sikkim is in pay Band of Rs. 5200-20200 Grade Pay of Rs. 2400 9min pay of Rs. 8360) and the highest, i.e Selection Grade is in the Pay Band of Rs. 9300-34800+GP of Rs. 4200 (min pay Rs. 14430). A Staff Nurse in Assam has her revised pay in the Pay Band of Rs. 520020200+GP Rs. 2300 (minimum pay Rs. 8570) compared to our Rs. 9300-34800+GP Rs 4200 (min pay of Rs. 14430). The revised pay of a Primary Teacher in Assam is in Pay Band of Rs. 5200-20200 + GP Rs 2200 (minimum pay Rs. 8030) compared to our Primary Teacher Grade III pay of Rs. 9300-34800+GP Rs. 4200 (minimum pay Rs. 13.500). The highest revised pay for the post of State Service Secretary (Sr. Grade-I) is PB 5 of Rs. 26000-45000 + GP 8700 (minimum pay 34700) compared to our highest pay in PB 5 of Rs. 37400-67000 + GP Rs. 10000 (minimum pay 48530). MANIPUR: Lowest Group D revised pay scale of Govt. of Manipur is in Pay Band of Rs. 4440-7440+ Grade Pay Rs. 1300. Our lowest pre-revised pay scale is comparable to their pre-revised Rs. 2750-4400 for which the revised pay is in Pay Band of Rs.5200-20200+ Grade Pay of Rs. 1800. Compared to this, the lowest grade pay given in our State is Rs. 2200. Against almost all the comparable pre-revised pay scales, the Grade Pays of Govt. of Sikkim are higher. Punjab: Punjab has its own Pay Bands upto Pay Band 3. The lowest pay scale for Group D post is PB I of Rs. 4900-10680+GP Rs. 1650 compared to our States Rs. 520020200+GP Rs. 2200. The minimum pay of a Group D employee is Rs. 6950 compared to our Rs.7400. It can be seen that for all comparable pre-revised scales, the Grade Pays given by our state Govt. is higher. The highest State Govt. pay scale in PB V of Rs. 37400-67000 with GP of Rs 10,000 is equal to the highest pay scale of the Govt. of Punjab. West Bengal: The minimum revised Group D. pay scale of West Bengal is PB 1 of Rs. 4900-16200 with Grade pay of Rs. 1700 compared to our PB 1 of Rs. 5200-20200 with Grade Pay of Pay of Rs. 2200. For their comparable pre-revised pay scale of Rs. 2850-4680, the revised scale is in Pay Band of Rs. 5400-25200 with GP of Rs. 1900. Due to difference in pay bands, the revised pay scales of the two States are not easily comparable. But on the whole, it can be said that in case of number of posts, particularly at the lower levels, the revised pay scales of our State is better. For example, we can take the revised pay structure of the teachers in both the States. The revised pay scale of primary school teacher in West Bengal is in the PB 2 of Rs. 5400-25200+GP Rs. 2300 (untrained and Rs. 2600 (trained) compared to our minimum Pr. Teacher pay scale in the Pay Band of Rs. 9300-34800+GP Rs. 4200. Similarly, the revised pay of assistant Graduate Teacher is in PB 3 of Rs. 7100-37600+GP Rs. 4100 compared to our PB 2 of Rs. 9300-34800+GP Rs. 4600. The revised pay of PGT in West Bengal is PB 4 of Rs. 9000-40500+GP Rs. 4800 compared to our minimum revised PGT pay in PB 2 of Rs. 9300-34800+GP Rs. 5000. The Minimum revised pay of the HM Sr. Secondary School in our State is in PB 3 of Rs. 15600-39100+GP Rs. 6200 compared to PB 4 of Rs. 900040500+GP Rs. 5400 for the Head Masters of High School in West Bengal. The comparisons above clearly show that the revised pay scales of the State Govt. on the whole can said to be one of the best in the country, if not the best. The total liability of the State Govt. for payment of arrears of the revised pay from 01 January 2006 has been to the tune of Rs. 571 crores upto October 2010-11. our Government, nevertheless, took a bold decision in granting the arrear payments to its employees in one go despite the

difficulties we faced to manage resources to meet such a huge requirement. It must be mentioned that the payment of arrears in case of most of the States were given in more than two instalments and in some even upto five. The State Government was very much aware of the constraints the revised pay and allowances would have on the resources at its disposal. But true to its promise, it went ahead to give the best possible pay packages to its 30,000 odd employees. The Government has always upheld the belief that the government employees are the backbone of the society. It is now for the Government employees to deliver their best and contribute their services in development of the State. Report By Mr. Karma Bhutia