7th Pay Comm: NCM member writes to Arun Jaitley, seeks changes in proposed salaries

New Delhi, July 16: The Seventh Pay Commission recommendations have not really pleased many thus,a National Commission for Minorities member has written a letter to Finance minister Arun Jaitley seeking changes in the proposed salaries.

Contending prices of essential commodities are same for all, NCM member Praveen Davar has urged centre to increase salary of its lowest paid employees by Rs 4,000 and reduce that of highest paid personnel by Rs 25,000 under 7th Pay Commission to see those earning less are not affected.

In his letter to Arun Jaitley, he has said that the minimum pay of Rs 18,000 as recommended in the 7th Pay Commission is "not adequate", while the maximum pay of Rs 2.5 lakh is "a little too much".

Davar though said his opinions expressed in the letter, dated July 11, was all personal and did not represent any organisation or group of individuals.

"Prices of essential commodities are equal for everyone. But those paid lower are affected more than those drawing high salaries. It is my personal opinion that the minimum pay in the 7th Pay Commission of Rs 18,000 is not adequate.

However, the maximum pay of Rs 2.5 lakh is a little too much," he argued. Stating that the ratio of the highest and lowest paid should be ideally 10:1, Davar said, "the minimum pay is increased to Rs 22,000 and the maximum pay is brought down to Rs 2.25 lakhs.Similar modifications can be made in the intermediately pay scales."

The move, he said, will not only narrow the gap between highest and lowest paid, but also result in substantially reducing the financial burden on the exchequer.

Davar also criticised the decision to offer steep hike in salary of MLAs in Delhi assembly saying the move has set a "wrong" precedent.

Reports are also suggesting that notification towards implementation of the Pay Commission will be issued early next week.

Recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission got the Cabinet nod on June 29 which will benefit over one crore government employees and pensioners.

The decision to this effect was taken in a meeting which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources said. The pay panel, in November last year, had recommended a 14.27 per cent hike in basic pay at junior levels -- the lowest in 70 years.

The entry-level pay has been recommended to be raised to Rs 18,000 per month, from the current Rs 7,000, while the maximum pay, drawn by the Cabinet Secretary, has been fixed at Rs 2.5 lakh per month from the current Rs 90,000.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)