Next elected govt to implement final new pay scale

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed says their interim government will leave a new pay scale for public servants in final shape for implementation by the upcoming next government, as set elections are close by.

"The work of the pay commission is very complicated. They are working independently without any interference. They will prepare three recommendation reports -- one for civil servants, one for army and another for the judiciary. After that we have to make them consistent."

The finance adviser was briefing newsmen after chairing two meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday.

"So, I am telling whether we can award the pay scale in our time is bit uncertain," says Mr Ahmed.

He says the reports have to be reconciled and thereafter it will go through some administrative processes, including scrutiny by the secretaries' committee. Then the ministry of finance will see how much money is involved with its implementation.

Replying to a query about the public servants' concern over delayed implementation of the pay scale after a political government comes to power, the adviser said he was hopeful that the new government would take the issue seriously.

"Creation of concern among the public servants is unexpected. They (government employees) could wait for last eight years for a new pay scale, and now we are making an effort in our 12 months. They have to have patience," he says.

"They should have thanked us as we have taken the initiative."

To another query, the adviser said in the revised budget for the current fiscal year 2025-26 the economic growth target will be lowered and the rate of inflation will be slightly increased considering the present perspectives.

Asked whether the estimations were not realistic, the adviser said they were realistic in the context of the time of budget preparation. But, at the implementation stage, various issues come up, requiring revision of the targets.

syful-islam@outlook.com