From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Mar 21: Generously doling out money from the State treasury, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gwoda has sanctioned a hefty pay hike for the over 6 lakh government employees on the eve of the Ugadi. The outgo from the state exchequer during the full year, which come into effect from the coming April 1 will be Rs 4,450 crore.
The State Government had announced the constitution of the official pay committee in June last year for considering requests of the government employees and pensioners in the annual budget for the year 2011-12. The committee had recently submitted its report to the government which has now been accepted in full by the Chief Minister in respect of the pay and allowances.
In view of the acceptance of the recommendations regarding revision of pay and other allowances, the Chief Minister said the existing dearness allowances and installment due as on January 1, 2012 will be merged with the basic pay and pension along with 22.5 % increase. The increase will be inclusive of the interim relief sanctioned with effect from November 1 last year.
''In arriving at this decision, the government has attempted to maintain a balance between financing needs for its statutory responsibilities and development commitments and also the need for appropriate salary for the employees, who are instrumental in implementing the responsibilities and development programmes," Gowda said.
In a major announcement, he the remuneration of the daily wage employees will be increased by Rs 1000 per month.
The existing rates of increments have been doubled and minimum pay scale has been revised from Rs 4,800—Rs 7,275 to Rs 9,600—Rs 14,550 and that of maximum pay from Rs 28,275—Rs 39,900 to Rs 56,550—Rs 79,800.
For purposes of HRA, classification of cities/towns/other places have been reduced from six groups to four groups, and the minimum rate of HRA has been increased from six per cent to seven per cent.
The existing rates of CCA has been increase from Rs 80—Rs 300 to Rs 250—Rs 400 per month; the rate of medical allowance for group C ad D employees has been increased from Rs 50 per month to Rs 100 per month.
Minimum and maximum pension are to be Rs 4,800 per month and Rs 39,900 per month, respectively; minimum and maximum family pension are to be Rs 4,800 per month and Rs 23,940 per month, respectively.
A legislation would be enacted making it mandatory for MBBS undergraduates and post-graduates to serve one year in rural areas immediately after successful completion of the course.
''Only thereafter they will be made eligible for permanent registration with the Karnataka Medical Council," the Chief Minister said.
It is proposed to hike penalty rates for MBBS and post-graduate doctors who avail concessional seats in Government colleges and government seats in private colleges but opt not to serve the Government after successful completion of the course as stipulated in the relevant rules, he said.
The Chief Minister said an exclusive policy for promotion of pharmaceutical sector in a holistic way would be formulated. A health information helpline would be established during 2012-13.
"Any person who desires to seek medical advice or any health related information can contact the helpline through a toll free telephone number," Gowda said Social security pensions for eligible persons in the age group of 65 to 80 years are proposed to be increased from Rs 400 to Rs 500 per month from next month, the Chief Minister said.
"This increase will benefit almost 30 lakh beneficiaries," he said in his 2012-13 budget speech. "Total outlay of Rs 2,310 crore has been made for this purpose."
During 2011-12, the long overdue exercise of physical verification of social security pensioners was undertaken, and over eight lakh cases of duplicate, non-existent and ineligible pensioners have been found and suspended from disbursement.
He said a job placement cell for physically challenged persons would be set up, adding, a scheme for self-employment opportunties for trans-genders would be started.
A green energy fund to encourage rooftop grid connected solar projects would be set up in Karnataka by levying a surcharge of five paise per unit on industrial and commercial consumers, he said.
"The surcharge will be complemented by support of Rs 25 crore from the State Budget during 2012-13," he said explaining: "The resources available in the Fund will be utilised to encourage rooftop grid connected solar projects."