Implement PAC recommendations fully — Employee associations

Dimapur, Sep. 13 (EMN): A joint forum of four service associations has questioned what they termed as insincerity of the Nagaland government towards implementing the recommendations made by the ROP Pay Anomalies Committee (PAC) under the Nagaland Service (Revision) ROP Rules, 2017.

According to a joint statement from Nagaland Directorate Ministerial Service Association (NDMSA), All Nagaland District Ministerial Service Association (ANDMSA), Trained Nurses Association of India, Nagaland Branch, and Prison Service Association, the PAC had recommended higher pay levels to some categories of employees under the four service associations.

“The PAC recommended enhancement of pay of specific categories of employees w.e.f June 1, 2017, but even after lapse of 9 months from the date of submission of the report, the Government has not implemented the recommendations for no valid reason.

“While it is precedent that the government normally constitutes a full pay commission to look into the grievances and complaints of anomalies from individuals/departments/associations in the ROPs before adopting a new ROP, the government has failed to constitute such ROP committee and consequently, the aggrieved individuals/departments/associations were not given opportunity to be heard in principle of natural justice. Alternatively, PAC was constituted which has recommended higher pay level for some categories of employees under various associations. Denying the right to enjoy appropriate fixation of salary commensurate to the post as recommended by the PAC is discriminatory,” read the statement.

The associations reiterated the observations made by the PAC; that ROP 2017 is based on the recommendation of a Pay Fitment Committee with inherent anomalous situations which were carried over from the earlier pay revisions; that there is a need for some rationalisation of pay scales in certain areas, basing upon which, the committee had recommended enhancement of pay levels.

Consequently, the associations have also submitted a joint representation to the chief secretary on September 10, demanding full implementation of the PAC report. “If the government does not take up the issue, the associations will have no other option but to resort to mass agitation until their demand is fulfilled,” it warned.