Seventh pay panel may propose 15% average hike; report likely to be submitted on November 20

NEW DELHI: The 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) is likely to submit its final report to finance ministry on November 20 which is due for implementation from January 1, 2016.
More than 48 lakh serving central government employees and 54 lakh pensioners will be impacted by the 7th CPC, which is likely to recommend an average hike of 15%, said a source.

The 900-page report is believed to have made suggestions on parity of 36 organised `Group A' services with the IAS, which has so far largely dominated superior positions in the central government.

The pay panel was constituted in February 2014 and was asked to submit its report within 18 months. However, in August the government gave the panel four months extension to submit its report by December.

Its recommendation will guide how the salary and various allowances of central staff will be revised besides improving their service condition. The report would also impact all public sector employees and central autonomous bodies which generally make corrections as per the hikes given to the central staff.

Even before the report was finalised there was intense lobbying seen where all 36 organised `Group A' services petitioned the commission seeking parity with the IAS and determination of central postings based on merit.

The IAS officers too had sent their individual dissension notes to department of personnel and training (DoPT) and the cabinet secretariat besides the pay panel demanding that their edge and superiority be maintained.

One of the demands of the Group A services is to change the composition of the Civil Services Board which is responsible for central staffing. As of now this is controlled by IAS officers and has no representation from any other service. The pay panel may recommend changes that would ensure level playing field for all officers of Group A services.