Govt to set up Pay revision commission; this time to win back govt employees

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has started plans to appoint the next Pay Revision Commission after realizing the erosion of votes among government employees due to the suspension of salary distribution and non-payment of benefits including dearness allowance.

The Left Front was lagging in the postal vote in the Lok Sabha elections. The new move is planned keeping in mind the next year's local self-government elections and 2026 assembly elections. CPM assesses that pensioners have also shown their wrath against the government during the LS polls.

A commission has not yet been appointed for the pay revision, which is to take effect from July 1, 2024. With this move, the government is aiming to win back the favour of the employees. If the salary revision is implemented just before the end of the government's term, the entire responsibility can be placed on the head of the next government. If back in power again, there will be ample time to find an alternative option to assuage the concern.

The first Pinarayi government implemented the salary revision in February 2021. In the same pattern, it is now planned to bring the next pay revision in February 2026. The government can take pride in effectively setting up the salary revision every five years. The 11th Pay Revision Commission was appointed in 2019.