MoF committee to finalise recommendations Thursday

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FE Report
A committee formed under the ministry of finance is expected to finalise its recommendations on the proposed special financial benefit to some 1.55 million government officials and employees at meeting next Thursday.
The special financial benefit, according to sources, might be given in view of the rising inflationary pressure on the economy.
The government might avail the fund available under the 'block allocation' head of the national budget for the current fiscal (2007-08) to meet the expenditures on account of the proposed financial benefit, sources said.
The committee has already worked out a few proposals and viable options on the proposed allowance. A committee member, however, said the government is not in a position offer any major financial benefit due to fund constraints.
Even a benefit equivalent to 10 per cent of the basic pay of public servants would cost the government more than Tk 12.0 billion a year.
Some 8,28,000 civil servants, 1,40,000 defence staffs and 5,60,000 teachers on the Monthly Payment Order (MPO) will be benefited if the government finally decides to give such allowance.
They were offered 53.33 per cent to 60 per cent salary hike in the last pay scale announced in 2005.