THE proposal for an increase in the basic pay and the subsequent raise in the full pay of government servants must be weighed in carefully before a final decision is made.

The pay scales of government employees are much attractive. The pay of a grade 17 officer and above is fine, especially those who have served for 10 years or more.

There are so many people in the non-governmental sector of the country whose salary is quite meagre. In the private sector, the working class below the management and sub-management level does not have competitive salaries. In this backdrop, the recent proposal for a revision of basic pay scales and any subsequent hike in government employees’ salary will adversely affect the poor of society.

In any case, the increase pay should not be incorporated in the basic pay and allowances should be kept aloof. If the same are added to the basic pay, the increasing trend of expenditure on account of pensions would further escalate. The government should not raise the employees’ basic pay.

A. Qadeer Ahmad

Deputy Accountant-General

Sindh

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2017