Sikkim to pay dues in three annual parts

Rajeev Ravidas, TT,  Sep 12, 2018, Gangtok: Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling on Tuesday said the 5th pay commission would be implemented retrospectively from January 1, 2016, and the arrears paid in three annual installments, the first of which will be released before the Dasain festival next month.

Interacting with the Group C and D employees here, Chamling also declared that henceforth, every second Saturday would be a holiday for the government employees.

Second Saturday has been a working day in the state since 2014.

The implementation of the pay panel report will benefit about 80,000 state government employees, both permanent and temporary.

Chamling also said the government would form a sub-committee to examine and sort out any anomalies in the pay panel recommendations.

"Other grievances submitted will also be examined and addressed," he added.

The arrears for different categories of employees to be paid next month will be given at the following rates: Group A employees: Rs. 1.05 lakh, Group B: Rs. 95,000, Group C: Rs. 50,000 and Group D: Rs. 40,000.

The chief minister said the onus was now on the employees to perform their duties with more dedication, sincerity and honesty.

"All employees should realise that the state government has gone out of its way to ensure that their hopes and aspirations are fulfiled. Changing the date for payment of dues alone has set the state back by Rs 354 crore - a huge amount of fund which could have been used for development projects," he added.

Maintaining in the 24 years of his governance, he had endeavoured to provide the best of everything to the employees, be it in terms of salaries, promotions and other perks, Chamling sought appreciation from them.

"Since they (the employees) enjoy the benefit of income tax exemption, they have a huge advantage financially compared to their counterparts in other states and even in the central government departments," he added.