Pay scale revision and expectations
THE 7th Pay Commission might present the report to the government formally in the month of Boishakh, with a lot of recommendations and packages of incentives for the employees in government and autonomous bodies.
Every pay commission so far constituted recommended revision of the pay structure with different packages to reduce resentment among employees and provide incentives to ensure better output.
The recommendations of the pay commission of 1984, implemented in 1985, had almost doubled the pay and allowances, and received appreciation from officers and staff in general. There was strong resentment in 1997, when many employees lost their jobs due to tussle with law enforcing agencies while expressing dissatisfaction with the implementation of the recommendations.
In fact, the vision behind the revision of the pay scale -- Tk.45,000 per month for a secretary and Tk. 4,000 per month for an MLSS -- is to make the livelihood of servants of the Republic comfortable so that they can perform their duties with concentration and without anxiety of financial crisis; and without getting involved in any illegal gratification.
The philosophy of any pay scale revision is to make the standard of life consistent with the existing price level so that employees do not find difficulties in their livelihood as dignified citizens of the nation.
Discussions and calculations are already taking place in government offices about the possible recommendation of the increase of pay, allowances, pension benefits, housing and transport benefits, medical allowances etc., and the benefit one can get in coming days.
On the other hand, economists and businessmen are afraid of the impact on the market price and the economy as a whole. But social scientists are of the view that this increase in the salary structure, with huge expenditure from the exchequer, could be a catalyst in restoring discipline, ensuring good governance, reducing corruption, starting e-governance and generating an information and knowledge based transparent and accountable bureaucracy. If it fails to contribute in these areas, the mission should be treated as failure.
A school of thought views that the government should consider enhancement of medical benefits, rationing facilities, better education scope for dependents, improved transport facilities, maternity benefits, rest and recreation allowances, job risk allowances, overtime and festival bonuses etc., in lieu of cash benefits to prevent inflation and direct impact on the market prices.
Besides, the question of income tax payment by the public servants might be a new sensation of the 7th pay commission report.
There could be innumerable suggestions, but implementation of packages might not be an easy task where 12 lakh employees are directly concerned. If an employee gets a benefit of Tk. 2,000 monthly on average from this package, the financial cost comes to an additional Tk. 2,800 crores. The finance minister has, therefore, said that he would examine and implement the recommendations of the pay commission in phases.
The question is whether such benefits will have a positive impact on establishment of good governance and rejection of corruption. It might be difficult to make changes in attitude in service delivery and communication with the public, which might require some measures beyond pay scale revision.
There must be drastic changes in the Public Servant (Conduct) Rules of 1979. There should also be major changes in the Public Servant (Discipline and Appeal) Rules 1985, especially in the definition of misconduct and awarding of punishment. These are outdated rules with little efficacy to deal with the present situation, where hire and fire has become the order of the day.
Public servants must get ready to adjust with the changes in information technology. They must be computer literate to retain their jobs; whatever might be their age or education level. Digital Bangladesh should not be taken as a slogan, but as an imperative in the coming days of revolutionary changes in responding to the public and disposing of cases as per their expectations.
The days of "red tape" are gone now. The people now want the reply by e-mail or SMS from the prime minister down to the assistant secretary. This is Vision 2021, for which nation must get ready from now on.
The impact of the pay commission report should bring utmost integrity, honesty and efficiency at all levels in the administration. This is the expectation of the people in general and a democratic government in particular.
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