Bengal govt issues 7th Pay Commission notification

Kolkata, July 22 (AHN) Going by the promise made in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Sankalp Patra (election manifesto) for the recently concluded West Bengal assembly polls, the West Bengal government on Wednesday issued the notification for the creation of the 7th Pay Commission for state government employees.

As per the notification issued by the state Finance Department, a copy of which is available with AHN, the 7th Pay Commission will examine and recommend changes desirable and feasible in emoluments including pay, allowances and other benefits, in cash or kind.

This will be done concerning rationalisation, contemporary requirements and the specialised needs of various Departments, Institutions, Statutory and Non‑statutory Bodies, Corporations under administrative control of the State Government, while also taking into account the total package of benefits now available in respect of all categories of employees.

“To examine the conditions of service in respect of the above categories of employees and suggest an emolument structure conducive to attract and retain talent in Government service. It should lead to promoting efficiency, accountability and responsibility in the work culture and ensure a work‑life balance,” the notification read.

The 7th Pay Commission will also review the dearness allowance and recommend an appropriate formulation for the proposed pay structure.

It will recommend special allowances and other concessions, including travelling allowance, which are now available to all categories of employees in addition to their pay.

The Commission will also recommend rationalisation keeping in view the multiplicity of allowances.

It will recommend the mode of initial pay fixation in the proposed pay structure for existing employees and the mode of revision of pension for existing pensioners.

In addition, the 7th Pay Commission will examine existing promotion policies, both functional and non‑functional, along with related issues and suggest suitable changes desirable and feasible after considering norms of promotion, efficiency and productivity. It will also give special regard to improving people‑orientation, social accountability and efficiency of the administration.

The Commission will review pension and allied benefits under existing death‑cum‑retirement benefit schemes, including medical benefits, if any, presently available to employees, and recommend changes that are desirable and feasible.

“The decision of the Government of India on the recommendations of the 8th Central Pay Commission may also be taken into consideration. The Commission will devise its own procedures and may appoint such advisors, institutional consultants and experts as it may consider necessary for any particular purpose in consultation with the State Government. The Commission may call for such information and take such evidence as may be considered necessary,” the notification read.

It is learnt that the 7th Pay Commission will submit its recommendations as expeditiously as practicable but preferably within six months from the date of publication of this resolution or such extended time as the State Government might consider necessary.

“However, the Commission may consider, if necessary, sending interim reports on any of the matters as and when the recommendations are finalised or if so desired by the Government,” the notification added.