‘Govt won’t implement new pay scale for public servants’
Staff Reporter :
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has said the interim government has taken no decision to implement a new pay scale for public servants, even though the Pay Commission’s report has been accepted.
He said the interim administration has only about 15 days left in office and therefore will not take any steps to enforce a revised pay structure during this period.
Fouzul Kabir Khan made the remarks on Tuesday while briefing reporters after a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat.
As the finance adviser was unwell, he spoke to the media on the government’s position regarding the Pay Commission and other economic matters.
The adviser said a committee headed by the cabinet secretary has been formed to review the Pay Commission’s recommendations, adding that the final decision on implementation will be taken by the next elected government.
Amid ongoing discussions over a revised pay structure for government employees, he clarified that although public servants had been demanding a new pay commission for the last 10 to 15 years, the current government has not decided to implement its recommendations.
“The Pay Commission’s recommendations are not meant for direct implementation,” he said.
“A committee led by the cabinet secretary has been formed to scrutinise the proposals, including the availability of financial resources. The next government will decide whether to implement them fully or with modifications.”
Fouzul Kabir Khan noted that if the recommendations were implemented in full, the estimated cost could reach up to Tk1.6 lakh crore, which he described as the maximum possible estimate.
He added that pay scale revisions are usually introduced in phases to avoid putting excessive pressure on the government’s finances.
He said the interim government’s limited tenure means it is concentrating mainly on preparatory work for the next administration.
“We have prepared master plans for the power and energy sector as well as the multimodal transport sector, which will be implemented by the next government. The Pay Commission issue falls within the same framework,” he added.
The adviser also said the government is conscious of the need to avoid unrest or agitation among public servants and to ensure a smooth transition when the next government takes office.
However, he stressed that accepting the Pay Commission’s report does not amount to implementing its recommendations.
He further said there is no connection between the Pay Commission and any rise in commodity prices, noting that since no decision on implementation has been taken, there is no question of any inflationary impact.
Replying to a question about media reports on a proposal to build 9,000-square-foot apartments for ministers, Fouzul Kabir Khan said he was not aware of any such plan and that no proposal of this kind had been placed before the Advisory Committee on Government Purchase.