Date:08/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/08/stories/2006100810800300.htm

Karnataka - Bellary

`Evolve transfer policy for staff'

Staff Correspondent

Five per cent of employees approach politicians for getting transfers: association president Five per cent of employees approach politicians for transfers: association president

Call to revise payscales

Plea to increase retirement age from 58 to 60

BELLARY: The Karnataka State Government Employees Association, while urging the State Government to evolve a policy on transfers to enable employees to work sincerely, has also made a fervent plea to its members not to approach politicians for transfers, according to its president L. Byrappa.

Inconvenience

Mr. Byrappa told presspersons here on Saturday that in the absence of a proper transfer policy, transfer orders were being passed on all the 365 days in a year causing a lot of inconvenience to the employees.

As a result, they were unable to work with dedication. Political interference in the transfers made matters worse, he said.

Mr. Byrappa admitted that around five per cent of the total Government employees were approaching politicians for getting transfers. "A proper transfer policy will put an end to all such problems and free the employees from all kinds of pressure. We have been requesting the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister to take immediate steps to come out with a transfer policy during the Suvarna Karnataka year," he said.

He informed that revision of payscales was the major demand put forth by the association. He said payscales had not been revised for long and urged the State Government to take steps to ensure pay parity with Central Government employees by merging 50 per cent of dearness allowance with basic pay and arrange to pay the difference with retrospective effect from April 1, 2004.

Other demands

Other demands include, considering the last drawn salary to fix the pension, time-bound promotions for teachers and other Government employees and increasing the retirement age from 58 to 60.

The association has urged the Government to concede to the demands. Mr. Byrappa said the association had been organising district-level workshops to sensitise government employees on the need to immediately redress public grievances.

He was here to participate in a district-level workshop. Chandrashekar, president of the district unit, and Gajanna, general secretary, were among other office-bearers present.