THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant decision just months before the crucial Assembly polls, the cabinet on Wednesday announced a big bonanza for government staff, teachers and pensioners.
A salary hike ranging from '2,000 to '12,000 has been granted to the staff under various categories.
The revised salary, pension and allowances which are being implemented with retrospective effect from July 1, 2014 will be included in the February salary to be disbursed on March 1.
Another major decision providing relief to nearly four lakh pensioners in the state is a comprehensive medical insurance scheme. Its details will be finalised and approved by the finance department before implementation.
Along with revised salaries, the government also announced 3 p c DA with effect from January 2015 and 6 p c DA from July 2015.
The salary and pension arrears from July 1, 2014 to January 31, 2016 will be disbursed in half-yearly four instalments starting from April 1, 2017.
Earlier, the salary arrears announced in previous pay revision used to be disbursed over a period of four to five years. However, this time all arrears and interest not linked to PF will be paid in cash within two and a half years.
Pension arrears will also be disbursed in the same manner. To provide relief to the lowest strata of employees, the government decided to hike the salary of casual sweepers to Rs 6,000 though the pay commission had recommended Rs 5,000.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said when his government came to power in 2011, these employees were getting only Rs 2,000. It was hiked over a period of time to Rs 4,000.
The cabinet decided to implement house rent allowance, city compensatory allowance and other allowances as recommended by the pay commission.
There would also be a 10 per cent annual increase in certain allowances above the slab fixed by the commission. Earned leave surrender and LTC will continue in the same manner.
The government also decided to end option system and all employees will be shifted to the new salary scale from July 1, 2014.
A special leave of 90 days will be granted to the staff who undergo organ transplant. The special pay system has also been done away with though it would continue for doctors of the health department.
Part time employees’ salary will be Rs 8,200 compared to the existing Rs 4,250 and the maximum salary will be Rs 16,460 against Rs 8,400 now.
The cabinet also decided to revise the salary and pension of university employees on par with those of the state government.
The government constituted an anomaly cell to receive complaints related to pay revision. A committee headed by chief secretary will be formed to examine the second part of the tenth pay commission report on administrative reforms and efficiency.
Mr Chandy said the recommendations will be implemented after evolving a consensus with staff organisations.
