REJAUL KARIM BYRON

About Tk 35,000 crore is likely to be allocated in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget for the partial implementation of the new pay scale for government officials, pensioners and MPO-listed teachers and staff.

The finance ministry has already prepared a draft of the proposed budget factoring in the increased expenditure for the enhanced pay structure, The Daily Star has learnt from people involved with the proceedings. The draft will be finalised soon after a meeting with the prime minister.

Two options are under consideration for implementing the pay scale: one involves a three-year plan and the other option is to implement the pay structure over two fiscal years in several phases.

Under the first option, 50 percent of the recommended basic salary would be hiked in the next fiscal year and the remaining portion in the following year; the house rent and other allowances would be paid in two phases in the third year.

A committee led by the cabinet secretary has been formed to examine the proposals in light of the government’s financial capacity and inflationary pressures.

Full implementation of the pay commission’s recommendations would require Tk 106,000 crore, of which Tk 80,000 crore would be needed for government officials and employees. The rest would go towards pensioners and MPO-listed teachers and staff.

The upcoming fiscal year’s budget is likely to be 18 percent higher at Tk 930,000 crore, with the revenue

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