 |
| Ajit K Seth (File photo) |
AN average employee of a public sector undertaking today is better off than his counterpart nearly four decades ago if a comparison is drawn between rise of emoluments vis-à-vis an increase of consumer price index, which factors in inflation. Though many of the PSUs have sound internal resources to afford even a better pay to its employees than what they have been offering now, the current crisis in Air India has forced analysts to revisit the recently presented Economic Survey, 2008-09, which compares the increase in the per capita emoluments of public sector employees in India with the increase in the consumer price index (CPI) over the years.
The per capita income of public sector employees from 1971-72 to 2007-08 rose by 58 times whereas the rise of CPI was mere 30 times, an analysis in a recent media report showed. That means an Air India employee, for example, should have earned substantially lower if rise in CPI had been a major criteria to increase salary.
Yet, the establishment cost of the government as a whole is not alarmingly high as yet. The provision for pay and allowances of the government employees for 2009-10 is Rs 85,078 cr, which is just 8.5% of the government’s proposed expenditure of Rs 10 lakh crore during the fiscal, the report further said.
A woman civil servant to get 180 days of child adoption leave
The government has decided to increase the Child Adoption Leave from 135 days to 180 days in line with the maternity leave which was already increased to 180 days according to the recommendation of the 6th Pay Commission. According to an office memo, issued by department of personnel and training (DoPT), a female government servant in whose case the period of 135 days of Child Adoption Leave has not expired on the date of issue of these orders shall also be eligible for Child Adoption Leave of 180 days.
It was further decided that a male government servant including an apprentice may be sanctioned Paternity Leave for a period of 15 days within a period of six months from the date of valid adoption.
Govt employees in India take pledge on anti-terrorism
(In Pic: Home minister P Chidambaram, second from left, administering the pledge)
Anti terrorism day was observed throughout the country on Thursday, May 21. Employees in government offices, PSUs and other public institutions in the country took a pledge in connection with the anti-terrorism day. The Union home minister P Chidambaram administered the oath to the officers and staff of the ministry of home affairs in North Block lawns. Secretaries of other departments too administered the pledge. The objective behind the observance of anti-terrorism day is to wean away the youth from the violence cult by highlighting the suffering of the common people and showing how it is prejudicial to the national interest.
Special allowances for Central Govt employees in Kashmir
The government has extended the package of special concessions and facilities to employees of the Central government and its public sector undertakings (PSUs) working in the Kashmir Valley till the year end, the government said in a release. The employees posted to Kashmir Valley will continue to be entitled to additional HRA and messing facilities. Employees who have migrated from the Kashmir Valley would be accommodated to the extent possible in Delhi and its vicinity.
Justice Upadhyaya, Justice Mridul appointed HC judges
Justice Janakray Chandubhai Upadhyaya, additional Judge of the Gujarat High Court, was appointed a Judge of the Gujarat High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office. In another development, Justice Siddharth Mridul, additional Judge of the Delhi High Court, was appointed a Judge of the Delhi High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.