4th Pay Commission to take Central Pay Commission as its basis

Sikkim Express
GANGTOK, August 25: The 4th Pay Commission constituted by State government earlier this month said today that it will make the 6th Pay Commission recommendations of the Central government as its ‘basis’.
“We have requested the Centre to send a copy of its 6th Pay Commission report. This will form the basis for us to work out as the instructions and directions of the State government”, said RK Patra, former Chief Justice of High Court of Sikkim today in a press meet held at the conference hall of Tashiling Secretariat. We are yet to receive the report but we are trying to get it as quickly as possible, he added.
The two member state Pay Commission had been constituted on August 18 headed by Mr Patra as its chairman to examine the pay structure of different state services and submit is final report with appropriate recommendations by March 31, 2009.
Bijoy Pratap Pradhan, the MD of State Bank of Sikkim is the other member of the Commission and was also present during the media interaction. CL Sharma, Special Secretary, Department of Personnel and a host of other government officials were also present on the occasion.
The 4th Pay Commission has been entrusted to examine pay scales of all categories of state government employees and to suggest changes which may be feasible and desirable.
“We will keep every aspect in view and submit a report keeping in mind the financial constraints of the state”, said Mr. Patra.
It is the also first pay commission notified by any Northeast state after the Centre announced the adoption of the Sixth Pay Commission.
Regarding the state government’s directions to the Pay Commission to submit its interim report by October, Mr. Patra remained non committal. “Hopefully we will be able to submit an interim report in two months time”, he said adding the works have not begun as yet. “We will also have to wait for the Central Pay Commission report and data from the state government departments on the basis of which we will work”, he said.
The Commission is banking on the formula of the Central Pay Commission report as it will be the guideline on which the recommendations will be made.
The last Pay Commission of Sikkim had submitted its report in 1988 recommending pay hike of 2.5 times.
In the last ten years inflation has risen considerably in the country and time has come for the revision of pay scale of government employees, said Mr. Patra. “Efficiency of the government services has to improve as it is basis government will work and reach to the common people. Unless it is improved, fruits will not reach the common people”, he added.
After studying the existing grades in Government Services, the Commission will suggest changes for ensuring uniformity in scales of pay commensurate with duties and responsibilities expected from each grade and also to suggest increase or reduction in the number of grade.
The Commission will also suggest the date to the state government from which the changes or improvements recommended by it should become effective.
“We may give a retrospective effect but we have also to consider the financial constraints of the state government”, Mr. Patra said.
The Commission has also been empowered to co-opt services of other officers of the stat government if required.
The Commission will be functioning from the State Police Guest House near the Tashiling Secretariat in Gangtok.