Implementation of revised pay scales to Telangana employees likely to take some more time

Submission of report by the Telangana Pay Revision Commission (PRC) — headed by retired bureaucrat N. Siva Sankar — is likely to take some more time.

The tenure of the commission has been extended till March 31 this year and the Government is likely to take a decision on the implementation of its recommendations after receiving the report, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka . The comment assumes significance as the demand by the employees for implementation of revised pay scales and release of pending dearness allowance (DA) instalments is increasing by every passing day.

The Commission is reviewing the pay structures amid concerns expressed by the teachers and employees unions over the delay in the release of pending arrears. Mr. Vikramarka told the Legislative Assembly that the Government had recently issued orders revising DA and dearness relief for pensioners from 30.03% to 33.67% with effect from July 1, 2023. Arrears on account of revised DA were being paid in instalments in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

He alleged that the legacy of the retirement benefits pending payment to employees was inherited from the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government. “The BRS government has enhanced the retirement age from 58 years to 61 years to escape the burden of payment of retirement benefits to employees,” he alleged adding the implementation of the PRC recommendations was transferred to the present Government as the BRS skirted its responsibility.

The government was bearing the additional burden and was clearing the pending dues towards employee bills (retirement benefits, medical bills and others) amounting to ₹4,575 crore to the employees releasing ₹700 crore a month. “We are planning to enhance releases to ₹1,000 crore from the next year onwards,” he said recalling that the BRS Government left unpaid dues to the tune of ₹40,175 crore which was being cleared by the present Government.