Seventh Pay Commission divided over 'IAS supremacy'

New Delhi, Nov 19: The three-member Seventh Central Pay Commission was divided over the issue of financial and career-related edge given to IAS officers as against those belonging to IPS and other services. IAS officers presently get a two-year edge over other services for getting empanelled to come on deputation at the Centre.

Besides, they also get two additional increments @ 3 per cent over their basic pay at three promotion stages i.e., promotion to the Senior Time Scale (STS), to the Junior Administrative Grade (JAG) and to the Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG) after putting in about four, eight and 13 years of service, respectively.

"Having regard to the difficult demands placed on police officers by their jobs, including long working hours, the risk of personal injury and death and the immense public responsibility they carry, the Chairman has recommended that this financial edge, as given to the IAS, be extended to the IPS as also to the third All-India Service, the IFoS," said the report submitted to the government today.

On three per cent additional increment given to officers of Indian Foreign Service (IFS), like IAS, the panel recommended that it "shall continue". Vivek Rae, member of the Commission and a former IAS officer, is of the view that the financial edge for IAS and IFS is fully justified but has not agreed with the view that it should be extended to the IPS and the IFoS, it said.

Another member, Rathin Roy, a renowned economist, is of the view that the financial edge accorded to the IAS and IFS should be removed. "IAS officers have a multi-dimensional leadership role to play and in specific jobs such as that of District Magistrate or Divisional Commissioner, officers occupying such positions must be able to be primus inter pares (first among equals) by administrative affirmation.

"According to him, if this position is to be reflected through superior financial remuneration, then their recruitment must be conducted separately," the report said.

Chairman Justice (retd) AK Mathur and Roy are of the view that the three all-India services and Central Services Group A officers who have completed 17 years of service should be eligible for empanelment under the Central Staffing Scheme and the "two year edge" presently enjoyed by the IAS should be withdrawn.

However, Rae, has not agreed with this view and recommended review of the Central Staff Scheme guidelines, it said. A war of words has recently started between officers of IAS and other services on the issue of job parity. A confederation representing thousands of officers of 20 civil services has also petitioned the Commission, complaining of "caste prejudice" while seeking job parity with IAS officers.

PTI