New pay scale decision to be made after commission report: Salehuddin

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has said that the much-discussed new pay scale for government officials and employees will be decided after receiving the Pay Commission's report. He made the remarks at the Secretariat on Tuesday after the completion of the Advisory Council Committee meeting on government purchase.

He said that the commission's 21 members are discussing the matter elaborately and will submit the report within a short time. He expressed hope in this regard. He further said that the Pay Commission is working simultaneously on the pay scale. "They communicate with us, but what they are doing or not doing is not our matter. Let them do their work," he added. He also said that different stakeholders have already submitted their opinions and proposals to the commission, either in writing or directly. Recommendations are being made after considering all aspects, Salehuddin added.

Replying to a query on whether the interim government will be able to endorse the new pay scale, the adviser said that once the report is received, it will then be possible to inform whether it can be implemented or not. He added that the 21 commission members are analyzing all issues and that a judiciary-related report will also come again. Besides, there is a separate sub-committee for defense matters, he said.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Bank Governor said on Monday that implementation of the new pay scale would not be possible before the elections and that it would be carried out by the next government. When asked about this, the finance adviser said that the pay scale is not related to the Governor. The Governor can express opinions only on banking affairs, but the pay scale is a government decision.