Pay panel hike 'least' considering inflation, says AITUC

Making its displeasure known, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) said it's "totally" opposed to the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission, saying this is the least hike for central government employees in the last three decades in view of the price rise. "It is totally disappointing... least hike (proposed) during the last 30 years. Considering the inflation, it is unsatisfactory," AITUC General Secretary Gurudas Dasgupta told PTI. Yesterday, the pay panel chief Justice A K Mathur presented the 900-page report to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with a recommendation that the new scales be implemented from January 1 next year. The Commission has recommended a 23.55 percent hike in salary, allowances and pension.

It will benefit 47 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners. Dasgupta said, "The gap between the highest and lowest slab (of pay) has increased to 1:14. Also, there is a subtle move to dispense with the Central Government Health Services (CGHS) and hand over the medical benefits provided by corporates to their employees." The Commission, in its recommendations, has favoured introduction of a health insurance scheme for staff and pensioners and doubling the gratuity ceiling to Rs 20 lakh.

The entry-level pay has been proposed to be raised to Rs 18,000 per month from current Rs 7,000 while the maximum pay, drawn by the Cabinet Secretary, has been fixed at Rs 2.5 lakh per month from the current Rs 90,000. For Secretaries, it has been fixed at Rs 2.25 lakh as against Rs 80,000 currently. Dasgupta further said, "On the whole, we oppose the 7th Pay Commission report.

The trade unions shall soon meet to decide further on it."