20 civil services petition FM on pay panel report

A confederation representing thousands of officers of 20 civil services, including Indian Police Service (IPS), today petitioned Finance Minister Arun Jaitley seeking pay parity and equal job opportunities as enjoyed by those in IAS.

A delegation of Confederation of Civil Services Association (COSCA) in a representation to Jaitley has objected to "the biased comments" made by one of the members of the pay panel against other services (except IAS and IFS) on the matter.

The move assumes significance amidst war of words between officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and those belonging to other central government services on job-related benefits enjoyed by IAS officers that started ahead of the submission of pay panel report.

The three-member panel, which submitted its report on November 19, was divided over the issue of financial and career-related edge given to IAS officers as against those belonging to IPS and other services.

The Finance Ministry has set up a cell to implement the recommendations of the Commission.

In its representation, the COSCA demanded that the cell "should not be dominated by IAS officers". The confederation demands that there should be equitable representation to various services in it, a senior officer said.

It also demanded parity in service conditions and equality of opportunity for senior-level posts (Joint Secretary empanelment) so as to encourage meritocracy in the bureaucracy for fast development of the country, he said.

"Performance linked pay be introduced going beyond recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission to achieve good governance, best service delivery to citizens and encouraging and boosting morale of honest and efficient officers," the confederation demanded.

IAS officers presently get a two-year edge over other services for getting empanelled to come on deputation at the Centre.

Besides, they also get two additional increments at the rate of 3 per cent over their basic pay at three promotion stages i.e., promotion to the Senior Time Scale (STS), to the Junior Administrative Grade (JAG) and to the Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG) after putting in about four, eight and 13 years of service, respectively.

COSCA comprises 20 services including IPS, Indian Revenue Service, Indian Forest Service, Indian Audit and Accounts Service and Federation of Railway Officers Association (representing nine railway services).