New PRC for Govt. Employees' Pay Revisions

In a significant development, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao of Telangana took a proactive step on Monday by establishing a brand-new Pay Revision Committee (PRC). The primary objective of this committee is to provide recommendations for the revision of salaries and pensions for government employees and pensioners. This process is expected to be completed within a concise timeframe of six months. In addition to this, Chief Minister Rao also made a notable announcement, offering a 5% interim relief for the state's dedicated government employees.

To facilitate the smooth functioning of the Pay Revision Committee, Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari issued official orders appointing two retired IAS officers to key positions. N. Sivashankar has been entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the PRC chairman, while B. Ramaiah will join as a committee member. Furthermore, the finance department has been given clear directives to ensure that the required funds and staff are readily available to support the committee's activities.

This is not the first time that Chief Minister Rao has initiated a PRC in Telangana. The inaugural PRC for the state was established back in July 2018. However, it wasn't until April 2021 that the pay revisions recommended by the committee were implemented, following the submission of their report in December 2020. As part of these revisions, the Chief Minister announced a substantial 30% fitment (basic pay hike) in March 2021, which officially took effect in April 2021.

It's worth noting that prior to these recent developments, Chief Minister Rao had previously announced a new PRC pay scale in February 2015, featuring a 43% fitment. This scale came into effect in March 2015, with retroactive pay adjustments dating back to June 2014. Interestingly, this earlier PRC was established by the Congress government, under the leadership of then Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, in 2013.

One significant aspect to consider is that the recommendations made by the PRC for a 25% fitment in the past could not be implemented due to the Telangana statehood agitation and the associated uncertainty surrounding the state's bifurcation.

During a session of the Legislative Assembly held on August 7, Chief Minister Rao made a noteworthy declaration, promising "unbelievable hikes" in the upcoming revision. He asserted that government employees in Telangana were already the highest paid in the country, surpassing even their counterparts at the central level. This accomplishment, according to Chief Minister Rao, stems from the state government's commitment to enhancing employee salaries over the past nine years.

In a reflection of his dedication to the welfare of state employees, Chief Minister Rao recalled a promise he made to them during the Telangana agitation. He assured them that they would receive the highest salaries in the new state, a promise he claims to have successfully fulfilled.