From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Nov 10: Having constituted the 7th Pay Commission for revision of salaries and other benefits to government employees ahead of next year’s assembly polls, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has asked the government employees to work for an extra hour to show their appreciation for the government’s offer.
The Chief Minister made this request when a delegation of Karnataka State Government Employees Association headed by president C S Shadashkari and other district and taluk unit presidents called on him to felicitate the Chief Minister in Bengaluru on Thursday.
“I do not expect anything in return. You demonstrate your appreciation by working for an extra hour at all levels,’’ he said.
The Chief Minister said the government employees must work with dedication and efficiency to serve the people, especially the poorer sections. “We have to build a strong and prosperous Karnataka. The State should contribute 1 trillion dollars in the country’s goal of achieving 5 trillion economy,’’ Bommai said.
The Chief Minister said his government constituted the Pay Commission after the five year period and pointed out that former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had also pressed for the constitution of the pay commission.
The Pay Commission is headed by one of the most honest, efficient and dedicated former Chief Secretary Dr Sudhakar Rao, who has never yielded to any kind of pressures. The implementation of the Pay Commission report will also be done by BJP government as the party is confident of returning to power, he said.
Bommai appreciated the work and service of the government employees, especially the health, police, rural development and revenue departments besides public works and fire brigade during the Covid pandemic.
He said there was a shortfall of Rs 5,000 crore in revenue collection when he assumed office. When the matter was taken up with the officials, they responded by reaching the target and also exceeded by collecting Rs 13,000 crore revenue, he said.
The Chief Minister said his government has decided to accept and implement the valid demands of the government employees. The government issued an official order of extending Dearness Allowance within 24 hours of announcement by the Union government. When the Union government announced another instalment of DA, the State Government responded by issuing its order by the same evening.