LAHORE: The LDA officers have sought provision of parity allowance at the rate of 1.5 times of running basic pay across the board as promised to them earlier.

Through a letter to the LDA vice chairman, the officers quoted a working paper being presented in the upcoming meeting of Governing Body for “Grant of Parity Allowance at the rate of 1.5 times of running basic pay.”

In the name of parity, a disparity is being proposed to be created between LDA Officers and deputationists which is a flagrant violation of Articles 8, 25 and 27 of the Constitution of Pakistan which provides for equality of citizens and safeguard against discrimination in services and any such discriminatory law or policy shall be void,” reads the letter.

It mentions that as per notification No.FD.PR.12-7/2018(Pt-III) of Oct 21, 2019 issued by the Finance Department, Government of the Punjab, executive allowance is only admissible to officers posted by the S&GAD against the cadre posts (mentioned in its notification No.FD.PR.12-7/2018 dated 29.07.2019). So the same cannot be granted to any other officer or any other post.

“Perusal of the working paper reveals anomalies, irregularities, illegalities and unconstitutionalities in the document, reflecting parity allowance is, in essence, a disparity allowance that cannot be given to a specific set of officers only and that too in the name of Fringe Benefit. It is unfair, illegal and unconstitutional in terms of Articles 8, 25 and 27 of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973 read with paragraph 1(16) of the Deputation Policy circulated vide letter No. FD.SR.II/6-13/97 dated Aug 13, 1998 of the Finance Department.“

In light of the above, it is requested and proposed that Parity Allowance in the name of allowance, not in the name of Fringe Benefit, @1.5 times of running basic pay should be given across the board to all the officers serving LDA thus creating parity in letter and spirit,” it concludes.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2020