Kerala govt. publishes terms of reference of 12th pay panel

The State government has announced the terms of reference (ToR) of the 12th Pay Revision Commission, noting that the pay and pension will be revised with effect from July 1, 2024.

The ToR, among other things, requires the commission to suggest measures to make the Civil Services more people-friendly and efficient and examine the “multi-faceted” issues faced by women employees.

The government has asked the commission headed by former Chief Secretary V.P. Joy to examine the existing Civil Services system and suggest measures for increasing the efficiency and social accountability so as to make the service “more people-friendly.”

The commission should examine the scope of introducing non-cadre promotion to employees in different categories of gazetted and non-gazetted posts who continue in the entry cadres for long periods of service, the May 5 Finance department order on the ToR said.

The commission has been asked to examine the present structures of pay and allowances and other emoluments and service conditions, including promotional avenues and fringe benefits, available to various categories and suggest changes, if any are required. Further, it has been asked to examine and suggest changes, if needed, to the benefits available to service pensioners.

Among other things, the commission has been urged to “to consider the need for a gender-sensitive service structure, especially multifaceted issues faced by women employees, and make suggestions for remedial measures.”

The panel should also review existing rules and procedures for fixation of pay and suggest methods for their simplification, the Finance department order said.

Further, the panel has also been asked to examine anomalies in the previous pay revision that have been specifically referred to it by government and suggest remedies.

The commission, which has as its members advocate M. Rajagopalan Nair and former Finance Additional Secretary Sreelatha Sukumaran, is expected to submit its report within three months.