Government Employees Want State To Clear Backlog Of Promises
14.02.2020
Sivakumar.B@timesgroup.com
Despite the government implementing the 7th Pay Commission recommendations which benefited more than 18 lakh government employees, the state’s directly paid workforce wants more. Various associations of the government employees are looking forward to some of their still pending demands being fulfilled in the last full Budget of this AIADMK government, set to be presented by deputy chief minister and finance minister O Panneerselvam on Friday.
The government decided to implement the pay commission recommendations in October 2017, with retrospective effect from January 1, 2016. The additional burden due to the increase in salaries of all government employees and teachers among others came to nearly ₹15,000 crore annually and this led to increase in revenue and fiscal deficit of the state.
“Despite implementing the pay commission recommendations, we are yet to receive the arrears due from 2016. Around ₹150 crore or a little more is what is needed, but the government is yet to release the amount,” said A Selvam, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association.
Lakhs of government employees and teachers went on an indefinite strike demanding fulfillment of a charter of demands in January 2019. The strike lasted a few days and was withdrawn after government threatened action against striking employees.
“The charter of demands includes release of arrears and withdrawal of new pension scheme. But even as we withdrew the strike, action was taken against 5,000 employees, including teachers, under Section 17D of The Tami Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. Action under this rule means, the employees will not get any retirement benefit. We have been asking the government to withdraw the action against the employees, but the government is stubborn,” said Selvam. More than 1,500 employees and teachers were transferred to other districts and they continue to suffer.
Another demand of the employees is withdrawal of the new pension scheme. “Former chief minister J Jayalalithaa had announced in the assembly about setting up a committee under former IAS officer T S Sridhar. Despite the committee submitting the report, the government has not implemented recommendations,” said an employee at the secretariat.
Another grouse of employees is chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is not willing to meet associations’ of government employees. “After the strike, we have been trying to get an appointment with the chief minister to explain the demands, but he is not ready to meet us. We were able to meet some ministers who could only assure us that our demands will be taken up with the CM,” said Selvam.
The association says there are several employees including noon meal workers and rural librarians who have completed 35 years of service. But, they still don’t get any retirement benefit except ₹2,000 pension. “There are several demands of government employees. But, with the present financial situation of the state, it is not possible to implement all the demands. It will take time,” said a senior secretary, not willing to be named.
Email your feedback with name and address to southpole.toi@timesgroup.com
14.02.2020
Sivakumar.B@timesgroup.com
Despite the government implementing the 7th Pay Commission recommendations which benefited more than 18 lakh government employees, the state’s directly paid workforce wants more. Various associations of the government employees are looking forward to some of their still pending demands being fulfilled in the last full Budget of this AIADMK government, set to be presented by deputy chief minister and finance minister O Panneerselvam on Friday.
The government decided to implement the pay commission recommendations in October 2017, with retrospective effect from January 1, 2016. The additional burden due to the increase in salaries of all government employees and teachers among others came to nearly ₹15,000 crore annually and this led to increase in revenue and fiscal deficit of the state.
“Despite implementing the pay commission recommendations, we are yet to receive the arrears due from 2016. Around ₹150 crore or a little more is what is needed, but the government is yet to release the amount,” said A Selvam, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association.
Lakhs of government employees and teachers went on an indefinite strike demanding fulfillment of a charter of demands in January 2019. The strike lasted a few days and was withdrawn after government threatened action against striking employees.
“The charter of demands includes release of arrears and withdrawal of new pension scheme. But even as we withdrew the strike, action was taken against 5,000 employees, including teachers, under Section 17D of The Tami Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. Action under this rule means, the employees will not get any retirement benefit. We have been asking the government to withdraw the action against the employees, but the government is stubborn,” said Selvam. More than 1,500 employees and teachers were transferred to other districts and they continue to suffer.
Another demand of the employees is withdrawal of the new pension scheme. “Former chief minister J Jayalalithaa had announced in the assembly about setting up a committee under former IAS officer T S Sridhar. Despite the committee submitting the report, the government has not implemented recommendations,” said an employee at the secretariat.
Another grouse of employees is chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is not willing to meet associations’ of government employees. “After the strike, we have been trying to get an appointment with the chief minister to explain the demands, but he is not ready to meet us. We were able to meet some ministers who could only assure us that our demands will be taken up with the CM,” said Selvam.
The association says there are several employees including noon meal workers and rural librarians who have completed 35 years of service. But, they still don’t get any retirement benefit except ₹2,000 pension. “There are several demands of government employees. But, with the present financial situation of the state, it is not possible to implement all the demands. It will take time,” said a senior secretary, not willing to be named.
Email your feedback with name and address to southpole.toi@timesgroup.com
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