TG Pay Revision Commission in Limbo

metro india news  I hyderabad : The future of the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) in Telangana has become uncertain, with its tenure ending on September 30 and the state government yet to clarify whether it will be extended. The lack of clarity has left employee unions, teachers and pensioners wondering when the long-awaited pay revision will be implemented.

During discussions with leaders of the employees' Joint Action Committee (JAC) on September 9, the government reportedly promised to obtain the PRC report by September 18. Employees hoped for positive news before the Dasara festival. However, more than a month has passed since the deadline, and the report has reportedly not yet reached the government.

PRC deadline expires without report

The tenure of the first PRC ended on June 30, 2023, and the second pay revision was expected to take effect from July 1, 2023. However, the government has yet to announce the revised pay scales, leaving employees waiting for the benefits for nearly three years. They have also expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the commission's future, as there has been no clear indication of whether its tenure will be extended. According to employee JAC representatives, the Chief Secretary has already written to PRC Chairman Shivashankar, requesting that the report be submitted to the government at the earliest. However, the report is yet to be received, they claim.

Financial burden may delay pay revision

The government will have to take a decision on salary increases and the fitment percentage once it receives the commission's recommendations. Employee unions are expected to intensify pressure on the government after the report is submitted. Government employees, teachers and pensioners have been eagerly awaiting the revision, particularly amid rising inflation and the increasing cost of living. However, concerns over the financial burden of implementing the pay revision may be contributing to the delay.

Employees demand higher fitment

Employee unions argue that the delay in implementing the second PRC has caused financial losses to employees since July 2023. Unions have demanded a fitment of 50 per cent, although some representatives may be willing to consider a lower percentage in the range of 20 to 30 per cent. The final figure, however, will depend on the commission's recommendations and the government's decision.

The financial implications could be substantial. According to the estimates cited in the report, even a one-percentage-point fitment increase could cost the government more than Rs. 200 crore annually. During the previous pay revision, the first Telangana PRC recommended a fitment of 7.5 per cent, but the then BRS government announced a 30 per cent fitment. Citing this precedent, employee groups are now pressing for a substantial increase, with demands ranging from 45 to 50 per cent.

With the commission's tenure over and the report still awaited, employees are preparing to intensify their campaign for an early decision. The government's next steps will determine when Telangana's employees, teachers and pensioners can expect relief through revised pay scales.