Chandigarh : Barring handful of states, the 7th pay commission recommendation’s has been accepted and implemented everywhere across the nation. Whereas, Punjab and Chandigarh employees are left in the lurch and facing ignorance and indifference like never before. Punjab government has been putting the onus on empty coffers and financial constraints for the problems faced by them. Here, one should ask that who is responsible for the eroded exchequer and exploitation of state treasury. Meanwhile employees are kept aloof from their basic and legitimate rights. Moreover, new recruits are given only basic salary in many departments. In fact, Governments have usurped their voice and Unions have failed to rake-up even the genuine demands due to the fear of backlash or sacking by the government. Chandigarh has a different picture. Many politicians had openly sought votes in general elections 2019 by promising to bring the provision for delinking of pay scales of Chandigarh from Punjab.
A huge chunk of employees of Chandigarh voted on the pretext that they might get their dues, pending since long due to non implementation of new pay scales in Punjab. It is a well known fact that there is no scarcity of funds & most of the departments of Chandigarh have enough resources to withstand the burden of new pay scales due to the availability of direct funds from the central government. Yet, new pay scales could not be implemented in Chandigarh as the salary structure of UT has to be in accordance with Punjab. Chandigarh has to mandatorily follow the rules and policies of Punjab. Many issues related to promotions, increments and other benefits are intentionally halted. Higher authorities are unnecessarily invoking unjustified technicalities and tweaking the rules by botching them up with Punjab rules according to their convenience and suitability. However such dictates does not hold any ground or logic as per central government rules.
If Chandigarh could sustain the burden of new pay scales, then in the best interest of government and government-aided employees, UT administration and/or Central government should come forward to take decision in this regard. Punjab and Chandigarh administration ought to listen to the plight of its employees and should not suppress the voice of their representatives. Public sentiments must be adhered to as one cannot deny that a pessimistic and negative atmosphere is prevailing.