7th Pay Commission: Why a good pay hike is needed to end corruption

Several governments across the world ensure that their employees are well paid.

The 7th Pay Commission left Central Government employees unhappy due to a poor pay hike. Many experts say that if the government wants to fight corruption, it would need to ensure that the employees are better paid.

In many cases, it has been found that the root cause for corruption is a lower pay scale. The recommendations of the pay panel which was cleared recently by the Cabinet has left lakhs of Central Government employees unhappy.

Better pay will end corruption

Several experts that we spoke with said that better pay is the best answer to ending corruption. The recommendation of a 14.27 per cent hike by the pay panel is the lowest in 70 years. A low pay hike and poor scale will not help root out corruption the experts feel. The best way to tackle corruption is to ensure a better pay scale and better benefits.

7th Pay Commission, the worst

At a 14.27 per cent pay hike, the worst recommendation was made in the past 70 years. There was nothing for the employees to smile about this time. Not only was the pay hike low, the employees did not even get their arrears on allowances from July 2016. Instead allowances are being paid from July 2017.

Last time it was 20 per cent pay hike

The 6th Pay Commission had recommended a 20 per cent hike in the basic pay, which the government doubled while implementing it in 2008. The 7th Pay Commission cut down House Rent Allowance (HRA), which constitutes a substantial part of central government employees' salaries. The Commission had recommended HRA at the rate of 24 per cent, 16 per cent and 8 per cent of basic pay of the central government employees and the government stuck with the 7th Pay Commission's recommendations on HRA and gave nod accordingly. The previous pay panel had recommended HRA at the rate of 30 per cent, 20 per cent and 10 per cent for X, Y and Z category of cities respectively.

Hike will not be considered

There had been widespread demand from central government employee unions to hike HRA at the rate of 30 per cent, 20 per cent and 10 percent of basic pay and to be given arrears on allowances including HRA. However the government has made it clear that the demands is unlikely to be considered by the National Anomaly Committee.

Why a hike is necessary

Several governments across the world ensure that their employees are well paid. A good pay will not just help end corruption, but also ensure quality work from the employees. It would also ensure that quality personnel join the government which in turn would help step up the manner in which the government functions.

OneIndia News