Kerala Government Announces Pay Hike for Public Servants Amid Financial Crisis

Image credits: Express News Service

The Kerala government has announced a pay hike for government pleaders in the High Court and the Kerala Administrative Tribunal, with the special government pleader’s pay increased from ₹1,20,000 to ₹1,50,000, while the monthly pay of senior government pleader was revised to ₹1,40,000 from ₹1,10,000 and that of government pleader to ₹1,25,000 from ₹1,00,000. The pay hike was effected retrospectively from January 1, 2022, and is expected to benefit several government law officers in the state.

In another development, the Kerala government has also revised the salaries of the chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission (PSC), with the salary of the chairman increasing from Rs 2.26 lakh to Rs 3.5 lakh, while members’ salaries will rise from Rs 2.23 lakh to Rs 3.25 lakh. The decision was made after reviewing the salary and benefits of commissions in other states, and will result in a corresponding increase in other benefits and pensions for the chairman and members. The government has cited the need to bring the salaries of PSC officials in line with those of district judges as the reason for the hike.

The pay hikes have been announced at a time when the Kerala government is facing a severe financial crisis, with the state's finances under strain due to a combination of factors, including a decline in revenue and an increase in expenditure. The opposition has criticized the government's decision to announce pay hikes for public servants, citing the plight of employees such as ASHA workers who have not received their honorarium for several months. The Leader of Opposition, V D Satheesan, has termed the decision an "open challenge" to the people, and accused the government of ignoring the concerns of ordinary citizens.

Here are the key points related to the pay hike: * The pay hike for government pleaders will benefit several law officers in the High Court and the Kerala Administrative Tribunal * The salary of the PSC chairman will increase from Rs 2.26 lakh to Rs 3.5 lakh * The salaries of PSC members will rise from Rs 2.23 lakh to Rs 3.25 lakh * The decision to announce pay hikes has been criticized by the opposition, which has cited the state's financial crisis as a reason for opposing the move * The public sector pay hike is expected to have implications for the state's finances, and may lead to further increases in taxes and cess to fund the increased expenditure.

The Kerala government's decision to announce pay hikes for public servants has sparked a debate about the state's priorities, with some arguing that the government should focus on addressing the concerns of ordinary citizens rather than increasing the salaries of high-paid officials. The issue is likely to be contentious, with the opposition expected to continue criticizing the government's decision in the coming days. As the state struggles to manage its finances, the pay hike for public servants is likely to be seen as a significant challenge to the government's efforts to balance its budget and provide essential services to citizens.