Teachers flay Himachal government for pay anomalies

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 10

The Himachal Government Teachers Union (Virender Chauhan faction) has criticised the state government for “destroying the pay structure, resulting in anomalies in pay scales and causing financial losses to employees”. It vowed to fight injustice along with other employees unions.

“The government has notified the new pay scales and given three options to employees. I appeal to all employees and teachers not to exercise any option till injustice done in the past is not undone and Punjab scales and allowances are given without any disparity,” said Virender Chauhan, president of the union, talking to mediapersons here.

“The government had implemented the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission in 2009, which were partially modified from October 1, 2012. The grade pay of several categories of employees was raised but in Himachal, the then Finance Secretary evolved new parameters and deviated from the Punjab pattern. The employees and teachers are paying the cost of highhandedness of the government in implementing the revised Sixth pay Commission scales being given after 16 years,” he alleged.

He claimed that the government unnecessarily imposed the condition of two years for the implementation of the revised pay scales for newly recruited and promoted employees. He said that the 4-9-14 time scale rules of 2009 were also distorted and as a consequence, the employees were bound to suffer permanent financial loss.