Commissions In India

Pay Commission

Pay Commission was setup by the Central Government of India for all types of reforms which were required in the employment sector. This Commission assesses all the factors to make recommendations for the pay scale hikes and or all reforms which this sector need from the policy planning to employment related concerns amongst others.

About Pay Commission

Central Government constituted the first Pay Commission of India in May 1946. This important body has by now presented six Commissions for the purpose to bring all types of reform in the pay scale related issues and to suggest efforts for betterment of Central Government employ conditions. This Commission has been presenting its report every five years on regular basis after reviewing needs, rights and conditions of government employs. It woks extensively for the pay structure of both civil and military division employees in the country.

First Pay Commission

Constituted in the year 1946, first Pay Commission took mere one year to submit its report to the government. It was chaired by Srinivasa Varadachariar and it had the main focus on the pays and wages restructuring of employees working for the government sector for which erstwhile Islington Commission had been used as a reference to structure the new Commission according to that situation for that the wages structure was the prime concern. Its focus was mainly for the minimum wages selection option.

Second Pay Commission

Central Government setup second Pay Commission in August 1957 which submitted detailed report in a time span of two years. In fact it’s recommendation did prove a highly impactful one due to rupees 396 million financial impact it offered. Chaired by Mr. Jaganath Das, the second Pay Commission echoed the salary determination principle of the previous Commission.

It left good impact when suggestions were given for effective work atmosphere and excellent work conditions for the employees working in government sector, so were the recommendations for selecting people with minimum qualifications needed to tackle the unemployment issues.

Third Pay Commission

Setup in April 1970, the third Pay Commission submitted its report to the Central Government in March 1973 with many proposals for implementation. Mr. Raghubir Dayal was given the task to chair this Commission as chairperson. The important guidelines offered through it were inclusiveness, comprehensibility and adequacy while designing the pay structures.

Fourth Pay Commission

Central Government constituted 4th Pay Commission in June 1983. Its chairperson Mr. PN Singhal submitted report in 3 phases and took 4 years to complete its task.

Fifth Pay Commission

Setup in 1994, the 5th Pay Commission was chaired by its chairperson, Justice S. Ratnavel Pandian. This Commission suggested too much salary hike besides the insistence for thorough pay revisions in government sector jobs in all states. This Commission though slashed the government workforce through approximately 30% which was another hue and cry besides too much salary hikes issue.

It reduced pay scaled from 51 to 34 besides suggesting to stop recruitment of the 3,50,000 vacant positions in government sector. The government though didn’t go with the above mentioned recommendations. The Commission was criticized from various groups and organizations.

Sixth Pay Commission

Indian Government approved the setting up of 6th Pay Commission in July 2006. Headed by chairperson, Justice B.N. Srikrishna this Commission submitted its report and recommendation within 18 months. It too hiked salaries of government employees. The focal point of this Pay Commission was to remove indistinctness in the pay scale related issues, so did it effort for introducing pay band concept and mainly removed the Group-D cadre scale. This Commission too remained under controversies due to disputes raised by various government services departments especially the armed forces.

Mandate

Important mandate which the Pay Commission has been prescribed from 1st to the latest one the 6th Commission is that they would work extensively for the benefit of the central and state government employees. Major aspects which would remain into limelight are that how the condition of workers could be improved and country sees effective work culture.

Recommendation Reports

All six Pay Commissions submitted their recommendation reports after formations. Some of them carried the previous recommendations with additions while separate recommendations were also given by the later Commissions. The focal point of these reports were to ensure better working condition of central and the state government workers and better payment options.

Implementation of Recommendations

Although all Pay Commission suggested individual recommendations but not all were implemented due to one reason or the other. Most of the recommendations have been accepted by the government as and when they were suggested. Some of them have been modified or brought under debate before implementation.