User Name: Paschim Railway Sthaniya Lokadhikaar Samiti Mumbai
Comparison with public/private sectors
Should there be any comparison/parity between pay scales and perquisites in Government and the public/private sector?
There must be a fair & healthy comparison between pay scales and perquisites in Government and the public/private sector since, the educational qualifications, quantum of work, skills and talents are almost similar for all jobs.
Is it possible to quantify all other benefits, excluding pay, derived by employees in Government and the public and private sectors from security of tenure, promotional avenues, retirement packages, housing and other invisibles? In view of these benefits, can there be any fair comparison between the salaries available in the government vis-ŕ-vis the salaries in the private sector?
Yes. As long as the basic requirements of living are same irrespective of employer, the benefits should be similar. In private firms motivational schemes are more and also avenues for promotions are more.
In order to ensure a fair comparison based on principles of equity and social justice, would it not also be appropriate to take into account the economic conditions of large sections of the community that are less privileged than Government employees and many of whom live below the poverty line?
This is basically an issue to be addressed by Governments by other means (reservations, facilities for economical upliftment) rather than asking the only the Central Govt. employees only to bear the burden of uplifting the economic weaker section.
International comparisons
Some countries have raised civil service pay scales almost to levels prevalent in the private sector on the hypothesis that a well-paid bureaucracy is likely to be honest and diligent. To what extent would such a hypothesis be valid and how far would such a course of action be desirable?
We can expect more Honesty & Diligence from content employees.
Impact on other organizations
Salary structure in the Central and State Governments is broadly similar. The recommendations of the Pay Commission are likely to lead to similar demands from employees of State Governments, municipal bodies, panchayati raj institutions & autonomous institutions Their paying capacity is considerably limited. To what extent should this factor be considered in devising a reasonable remuneration package for Central Government employees?
The basic needs, wants and minimum standard of life etc are the same for all employees irrespective of the place of work. So the Salary should be commensurate to Education, responsibility, duty, skill , risk of work, wherever is the employment. Now only 30% of total employment prospects in the country is in Government sector, so it is not justifying/fair that only these 30% of people should worry about paying capacity of state and other bodies. The Government or other bodies should find other ways to generate funds for equal salary.
Salaries
What should be the reasonable ratio between the minimum and the maximum of a pay scale?
The reasonable ratio between the minimum and the maximum of a pay scale be 1.6 to 1.75.
Is it necessary to persist with a pre-determined minimum-maximum ratio on ideological considerations? Or is it more important to ensure efficient administration by preventing flight of outstanding talent from Government?
A pre-determined minimum-maximum ratio on ideological considerations will be better for Government as it has the moj:al responsibility to safe guard the socio-economic interests of the country.
Restructuring of Group C & D posts
Should all lower Group C functionaries in the Secretariat be replaced by multi-functional Executive Assistants, who would be graduates and well versed in office work, secretarial skills and use of modern office equipment including computers? Should Similar arrangements can be evolved for Group C posts in other organisations of Government?
Yes, all lower Group 'C functionaries in the Secretariat be replaced by multi-functional Executive Assistants. Yes, similar arrangements can be evolved for Group 'C posts in other organisations of Government.
Should a similar regrouping of Group D staff into fewer categories capable of performing diverse functions also be carried out?
No, certain/some regrouping of Group D staff into fewer categories capable of performing diverse functions may be done.
Pay Scales
How should a pay scale be structured? What is a reasonable ratio between the minimum and maximum of a pay scale?
Yes, it has been mentioned in 4.2.
The successive Pay Commissions have progressively reduced the number of distinct pay scales. The number of scales has therefore come down from more than 500 scales at the time of the Second Central Pay Commission to 51 scales before Fifth Central Pay Commission, which was brought down to 33 scales by the Fifth Central Pay Commission. The reduction in the number of pay scales brings in attendant problems like the promotion and the feeder grades coming to lie in the same pay scale, etc. Do you feel whether the existing number of pay scales should be retained or increased or decreased or whether the same should be replaced by a running pay scale?
The existing number of pay scales should be retained. As much merging of posts increases the work load and distribution of work becomes difficult.
Increments
What should be the criteria for determining the rates and frequency of increments in respect of different scales of pay? Should these bear a uniform or varying relationship with the minima and/or maxima of the scales?
Uniform relationship with minimum and maximum of the scales is required to be maintained keeping the ratio of different grades. On reaching the maximum in a scale next scale should be given next scale.
Revision of pay scales
Is there any need to revise the pay scales periodically especially when 100% neutralization for inflation is available in form of dearness allowance?
No
How should pay be fixed in the revised pay scales? Should there be a point-to-point fixation? If not, please suggest a method by which it can be ensured that senior personnel are not placed at a disadvantage vis-ŕ-vis their juniors and due weightage is given for the longer service rendered by the former
Point to point basis.
Compensatory Allowances
Is City Compensatory Allowance a sufficient compensation for the problems of a large city? If DA and HRA provide full neutralization, do you think CCA should continue? Is there a need for changing the basis of classification of cities and the rates of CCA? If so, please suggest the revised basis and rates.
No. Yes, CCA should continue. CCA should be on percentage basis with respect to Classification of the city.
Pay and perquisites for Armed Forces
How should the pay of a soldier, sailor and airman be determined? How should it relate to the minimum wage in Government and the pay of a constable in paramilitary or internal security forces?
No comments
Abolition of feudalism
Should all vestiges of feudalism in the country like huge residential bungalows sprawling over several acres, large number of servant quarters, retinues of personal staff, bungalow peons, use of uniformed personnel as batmen or on unnecessary security or ceremonial duties etc. be abolished? Please make concrete suggestions.
National debate is required since all posts cannot be treated as vestiges of feudalism.
Specific proposals
In what manner can Central Government organizations functioning be improved to make them more professional, citizen-friendly and delivery oriented?
Result oriented work. Also proving better working environment using modern facilities
Please outline specific proposals, which could result in: (i) Reduction and redeployment of staff, (ii) Reduction of paper work, (iii) Better work environment, (iv) Economy in expenditure, (v) Professionalisation of services, (vi) Reduction in litigation on service matters, (vii) Better delivery of service by government agencies to their users.
Reduction cannot be done in all cases as it depends upon the nature and place of work. . • Computerisation can reduce paper work and bring much efficiency, economy in, expenditure. • Procuring standard materials rather than cheap items can save the money.
New concepts
Do you think the concepts of contractual appointment, part-time work, flexible job description, flexi time etc. need to be introduced in Government to change the environment, provide more jobs and impart flexibility to the working conditions of employees?
Certain high skilled jobs can be out sourced on contractual basis.
For improving punctuality/introducing new concepts like flexi time, should biometric entry/exit be introduced?
Yes, may be introduced.
What steps should be taken to ensure that scientists, doctors, engineers and other professionals with sophisticated education and skills are retained in their specialized fields in Government? Should they be appointed on contract with a higher status and initial pay, advance increments, better service conditions, etc.?
Steps to retain professionals in specialized field : • Better comparable pay & perks as in private • Allowed for private practice after Office hours in case of Doctors with revenue sharing with Govt. • Entertain private projects for scientists after Office hours with revenue sharing with Govt. Contract basis is suitable for certain cases where the Specialised skills are required, like major surgery.
Should there be lateral movement from Government to non-Government jobs and vice versa? If so, in which sphere(s) and to what extent ?
No there should not be. Some common participation may be there so that both sides can be benefited by sharing experience, knowledge etc.
It has been suggested that existing Government employees should be encouraged to shift to employment on contract for specified periods in return for a substantially higher remuneration package. Would you agree?
Yes, by that the experience and skills gained will be useful for the organization.
Performance Appraisal
In what way should be present system of performance appraisal be changed? Should be ACR be an open document?
Periodic close observation of working should be introduced. Yes ACR should be an open document.
How far has the introduction of self-assessment helped in the process of appraisal?
Helpful only in cases of Supervisory category and above.
Should appraisal be done for an entire team instead of for individuals?
No. Appraisal for individuals is necessary for fixing responsibilities even in the team work.
In what manner can Government employees be made personally accountable for their acts of omission or commission, without any special safeguards? Would you recommend any amendments to Article 311 of the Constitution, Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 17 and 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and various rules relating to conduct of Government servants and disciplinary proceedings?
Existing DAR is sufficient
Holidays
Kindly comment on the appropriateness of adopting a five-day week in Government offices when other sectors follow a six day week. Please also state whether the number of Gazetted holidays in Government offices should be reduced? Please also comment on the appropriateness of declaring Gazetted holidays for all major religious festivals.
5- Days week is appropriate for Govt. sectors as only ministerial staff or such duties are eligible.
What do you think is the state of work ethics and punctuality in Government offices? Kindly suggest ways of improving these.
• Punctuality is not maintained. • Sharing of (clerk) work is not done so poor efficiency. • Improper training & work condition (technical) efficiency is poor. We can expect, there will be improvement in the organisation as • Well paid employees will be more honest & diligent • Will have proper attitude and behaviour • And will be more responsible towards their work.
