‘Employees should realize their jobs are secure, income high’
Senthil Arumugham 29.01.2019 TOI
The ongoing protest is a result of vote bank politics of the two Dravidian parties over the past 50 years. They did not adopt a rational approach and ended up emptying the government’s coffers. Of the ₹2 lakh crore annual budget for seven crore people, Tamil Nadu spends almost 40% on government teachers and employees’ salaries and pension. So, government employees should realize that their jobs are secure and income three to five times higher than other sectors.
The primary demand put forth by Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Organisations and Government Employees’ Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) now is scrapping of the new Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and revival of the old pension scheme. In the old scheme, pension component was completely state-funded, and 50% of the last drawn salary was paid as monthly pension. In the new scheme, introduced in 2003, 10% is funded by the state and 10% is employees’ contribution. The employees, who had joined after 2003, agreed to this condition but are now voicing their protests.
Till 15 years ago, the salary scale was low and the state was able to bear the expenses. But now, the pay scale has increased manifold and hence it is not financially feasible for the government to adopt the old pension policy. The government is already spending ₹25,000 crore annually towards this component and it can’t afford to spend more.
On one hand, they don’t want a new pension scheme as suggested by the Centre, but they demand their present monthly salaries should be on a par with the new pay scale for central government employees. While central government employee can be transferred anywhere in the country, state teachers are not willing to move to nearby districts and often bribe to ensure their choice of place of transfer.
Another demand presented by JACTTO-GEO is payment of 21 months of ‘arrears’. The protestors are misleading the public by using the phrase ‘pending arrears’ on their pamphlets and posters. The seventh pay commission due for implementation in 2016 was introduced in the state only in October 2017. But the government order (GO No. 303) issued in connection with this state that the change will come into force notionally from January 2016, but with monetary benefit from October 2017. The phrase ‘pending arrears’ can be used only if the government gave a commitment. So, JACTTO-GEO can criticize the policy and demand can arrears but can’t claim it as their right. Also, there is no mandate for the state government to implement pay commissions with immediate effect. For instance, in Tripura only the fourth pay commission is in existence.
The strike highlights the need for a prudent promotion policy. Rather than mechanically providing pay hikes based on experience, the government should monitor performances and give promotions based on it.
(Senthil Arumugham is general secretary of Satta Panchayat Iyakkam) (As told to Ram Sundaram)
Email your feedback to southpole.toi@timesgroup.com
UNWARRANTED
Senthil Arumugham 29.01.2019 TOI
The ongoing protest is a result of vote bank politics of the two Dravidian parties over the past 50 years. They did not adopt a rational approach and ended up emptying the government’s coffers. Of the ₹2 lakh crore annual budget for seven crore people, Tamil Nadu spends almost 40% on government teachers and employees’ salaries and pension. So, government employees should realize that their jobs are secure and income three to five times higher than other sectors.
The primary demand put forth by Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Organisations and Government Employees’ Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) now is scrapping of the new Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and revival of the old pension scheme. In the old scheme, pension component was completely state-funded, and 50% of the last drawn salary was paid as monthly pension. In the new scheme, introduced in 2003, 10% is funded by the state and 10% is employees’ contribution. The employees, who had joined after 2003, agreed to this condition but are now voicing their protests.
Till 15 years ago, the salary scale was low and the state was able to bear the expenses. But now, the pay scale has increased manifold and hence it is not financially feasible for the government to adopt the old pension policy. The government is already spending ₹25,000 crore annually towards this component and it can’t afford to spend more.
On one hand, they don’t want a new pension scheme as suggested by the Centre, but they demand their present monthly salaries should be on a par with the new pay scale for central government employees. While central government employee can be transferred anywhere in the country, state teachers are not willing to move to nearby districts and often bribe to ensure their choice of place of transfer.
Another demand presented by JACTTO-GEO is payment of 21 months of ‘arrears’. The protestors are misleading the public by using the phrase ‘pending arrears’ on their pamphlets and posters. The seventh pay commission due for implementation in 2016 was introduced in the state only in October 2017. But the government order (GO No. 303) issued in connection with this state that the change will come into force notionally from January 2016, but with monetary benefit from October 2017. The phrase ‘pending arrears’ can be used only if the government gave a commitment. So, JACTTO-GEO can criticize the policy and demand can arrears but can’t claim it as their right. Also, there is no mandate for the state government to implement pay commissions with immediate effect. For instance, in Tripura only the fourth pay commission is in existence.
The strike highlights the need for a prudent promotion policy. Rather than mechanically providing pay hikes based on experience, the government should monitor performances and give promotions based on it.
(Senthil Arumugham is general secretary of Satta Panchayat Iyakkam) (As told to Ram Sundaram)
Email your feedback to southpole.toi@timesgroup.com
UNWARRANTED
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