AGARTALA, March 6 (TIWN): Future of the State Government employees seems to be in a dark cloud like the last year. Though the 14th Finance Commission had allotted a grand amount for Tripura, but still no ray of hope is being focused by the Finance Minister. However, the former Finance Minister, Badal Chowdhury spoke about some positive attitude of the Finance Commission, but no assurance of the Central pay scale to the employees of the State Government.However, a section of people claims that over the last few years’ entire CPI (M) party and its leaders befooled the entire employees' group in playing the old tape records of deprivation by 13th Finance Commission.

Earlier, State Government blamed 13th Finance Commission for the deprivation of the Government employees; the same tune is again in the mouth of the State Government. Govt. of Tripura requested earlier Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh & Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to allocate additional funds. But a demand placed by Tripura has not been fulfilled. However, the recommendation of 14 Th Finance Commission will come into effect from next year. Before that, Govt. of Tripura reviewed the current financial position of the state. According to top official sources, government reviewed how much of total allocation and how much amounts released by Finance Commission. Chief Minister also reviewed the progress of works sanctioned by 13 Th Finance Commission. It is to be noted here that, finance commission allocated money for non plan gap grant assistance. Salary expenses of employees needs meet from this fund. State Government employees are now hopeful that after reshuffle of the cabinet, newly in charge minister will consider their demand.

In a recent data, Government claims that for giving DA to the State Government employees, still 1197 crore rupees is required. In order to save their fate, Government states that, the Government will pay wages and allowances on the basis of 14th Finance Commission. On the report, no estimates of the wages and allowances are mentioned. So, it is not possible to fix their wages.

But honestly speaking the party was not at all interested to solve the issue. As a result of it Tripura is the only state in India in which 6th Pay Commission's proposals were not implemented. And quite surprisingly the HB Road remained silent and still following the instructions of the Melarmath leaders. And thus, employees in Tripura are now having the lowest pay structure in the country. During the meeting with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, state Cabinet submitted a charter of demands before the PM but in this demands, not a single line was written about govt employees and 13th Finance Commission. From this incident even a blind man can easily goes that Manik Sarkar and his Co do not want to sort out the problem.

Indeed Finance Commission is a Constitutional body and throughout the country it follows the same policy. While making proposal to the Centre regarding grants for employee’s salary, it only considers the Committed Expenditure. And the expenditure will only be considered as a 'Committed' one when the state govt gives the increased rate of salary. It is really shameful that the employees' 'poorest pay scale in the country (as is now implemented in Tripura) has now become an object of laughter in India.