Salary scheme of public servants

The Committee on Public Enterprises has stated that the holder of this prestigious and administratively important post in the state public service is paid a paltry monthly salary of Rs. 48,940, and considering the onerous responsibility it carries, the pay is inadequate.

It has not been said whether the amount is the basic or the gross salary. He may be receiving an official vehicle and a driver, an official residence with electricity, water and telephone provided by the State considering the significance of his position. Thus his total income as Auditor General may be much more.

State banks similar to other public organizations are also subject to the Auditor General’s annual examination of all functions and perhaps the higher grade officers of the state banks deservingly may be paid a higher gross salary. Their higher salaries are in consideration of the responsibility towards the account holders who provide the operational funds.

Parliamentarians perhaps even after a short term of five years in office are bound to receive in retirement a higher pension than the AG’s present salary and some of them who had provided little or no service to the country are better off.

For parliamentarian pensioners it is a short term employment subject to a pension. While for a public servant, it is a slow climb to reach a responsible position and thus deserves a gross pay to fit and suit his position.

Parliament should consider the post as a special post in the public service and pay a gross salary over seventy five thousand subject to payee tax. Thus all public servants drawing a gross salary over Rs. 75,000 should pay taxes remembering that they receive other official benefits including an official vehicle with a driver.