7th Pay Commission: Will Bengaluru Grind To A Halt? Government Employees Protest Looms

Updated: Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 17:31 [IST]

The Karnataka State Employees Association has announced plans for a protest on February 7 to denounce the anti-employee policies enacted by both the Central and State Governments. AKSGEF state president Jaikumar HS and Working president N Shobha Lokanaganna confirmed this decision.

All employees across various departments of the state government will participate in a one-day state-level protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, rallying for the fulfillment of their demands. A joint action committee comprising various government departments and groups has called for universal participation.

The grievances against the central government stem from policies that have inflated the prices of essential commodities such as petrol, diesel, and cooking gas, exacerbating hardships for citizens while bolstering corporate profits through privatization measures. Despite nationwide efforts by government employees to revoke the PFRDA Act/NPS system in favor of reinstating the Defined Pension Scheme (OPS), the central government's response has been limited to the formation of a review committee, maintaining a stance of silence.

At the state level, discontent is fueled by Karnataka's government employees receiving the lowest salaries among southern states. The extension of the 7th Pay Commission by six months has triggered significant disappointment and anger. Furthermore, delays in implementing the 7th Pay Commission, coupled with the exploitation of contract/daily/outsourced employees by outsourcing agencies, have exacerbated frustrations. Additionally, unresolved issues such as pension discrepancies, unconstitutional conduct rules, and administrative reforms favoring anti-employee elements persist.

The protest enjoys wide support, led by the Karnataka State Government Employees Union, with backing from several organizations including:

Karnataka State Government SC/ST Coordinating Employees Association
Karnataka State Government PDO Welfare Association
Karnataka State Minorities Welfare Department Teachers Association
Karnataka State Aided High Schools Welfare Association
Karnataka State Art Teachers Association
Karnataka Government Ministry of Motorists Association
All Karnataka State Pensioners Union
Law Department of Metrology P.J.A. and P.P.Employees Association
School/College Pension Deprived Employees Association
All Karnataka State Government Women Employees Association
Legal Metrology Department Inspectors Association
Karnataka State Government Library Department Employees Association
Karnataka State Ayush Nurses Association
B.B.M. P PAJ/PAP Officials/Employees Central Union
Karnataka State Aided High School Physical Teachers Association
Karnataka State Aided Teaching/Non-Teaching Organizations Union

7th Pay Commission: What are the key demands?

Immediate implementation of the 7th pay revision with a 40% increase.
Abolition of the PFRDA Act/NPS Scheme and restoration of the Defined Pension Scheme (OPS) for all state employees.
Prompt filling of all vacant positions through direct recruitment, including those in aided educational institutions.
Provision of equal pay for equal work to contract/outsourced employees, with their salaries directly deposited by the government, ensuring their inclusion in all direct recruitments and advocating against contract/outsource recruitment in favor of permanent positions.
Release of withheld gratuity for 18 months due to Covid-related reasons.
Expedited revision of cadre and recruitment rules across all state government departments, including the preparation of seniority lists and promotion adherence to established regulations.
Opposition to department mergers, reduction of employees, privatization of public enterprises/government schemes, and outsourcing under the guise of administrative reforms.
Full implementation of the Promotion Reservation Act and clearance of backlog.
Establishment of a "Committee of Experts" to address work pressure and abuse concerns among Panchayat Development Officers.
Implementation of a cashless Arogya Bhagya Yojana for all employees and retirees.
Prevention of violence against women employees.
Restoration of fixed pension facilities for approximately 60,000 teaching/non-teaching staff in aided schools/colleges.
Removal of anti-employee clauses in Karnataka State Civil Service (Conduct) Rules (2021).