3.81 lakhs for PSC chairman and 3.73 lakhs for members; pension of 2.50 and 2.25 lakhs; salary hike causing additional liability of 4.5 crores

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While around 30,000 ASHA workers are protesting day and night for a meagre salary hike, the PSC chairman and 21 members who have received political appointments have been given a salary hike of around Rs 1.5 lakh. The Left government who stands with the common man is making its policy clear!

It was the cabinet meeting that decided to revise the salary and benefits. The chairman will get a salary equal to the maximum amount in the supertime scale of district judges. The members will get a salary equal to the maximum amount in the selection grade scale of district judges.

The government will have an additional liability of more than Rs 4.5 crore. The chairman's current salary is Rs 2.24 lakh. This will be increased to Rs 3.81 lakh. The members' salary will be increased from Rs 2.19 lakh to Rs 3.73 lakh. Central DA will be given. House rent of Rs 35,000. Vehicle allowance of Rs 10,000.

The current pension of the former chairman will be doubled to Rs 1.25 lakhs. The pension of the members will increase from Rs 1.20 lakhs to Rs 2.25 lakhs. The reason being given is that the service pay system in other states has been considered. However, only Kerala has this many PSC members. Tamil Nadu has 14, Karnataka has 13, and UP has only 6 members.

The increase was sought with a retrospective effect from 2016. If granted, the chairman will get 1.75 crore and the members 1.59 crore each. 35.18 crore will be required for this alone.

The PSC members are representatives of CPM, CPI, Kerala Congress (M), and NCP.

Benefits of the Chief Secretary

The chairman and members have all the benefits of the Chief Secretary. Free treatment for family members included.

Job of PSC members

• Monday: Commission sitting
• Tuesday: Attend various committees
• Wednesday-Friday: Interview
• Saturday: Checking files

Rank lists gathering dust

While lakhs are given to members, there are no appointments in almost a quarter of the rank lists. These include civil police officers (male and female), college teachers, civil excise officers, and company board assistant rank lists. Rank lists, including one for staff nurses, were cancelled without even one-third of rank holders being appointed.

Rank List Appointment

2019 ------------35,422

2020 ------------25,914

2021 ------------26,724

2022 ------------22,393

2023 -------------25,144

Meagre for ASHA workers

• Honorarium for ASHA workers: Rs 7000 (Government says: Rs 13,200)
• They are protesting day and night in front of the secretariat demanding that the honorarium be increased to Rs 21,000
• They are also asking for Rs 5 lakh when they retire at the age of 62 (currently there is none)