3 February
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
In a significant relief for municipal corporation employees, the government has decided to decentralize the authority for approving salary increases for Group-B employees at the local level. This pivotal decision overturns a previous directive issued by the Principal Secretary of the Local Body Department on October 4 last year, which mandated that salary increase approvals for Group-A and B employees in Municipal Corporations must be sought at the government level.
The initial directive faced resistance from employee unions, arguing that Group-B matters, such as the A.C.P. Scheme or X India Leave cases, are traditionally handled at the government level. The government has heeded this concern, leading to a modified approach.
Under the new arrangement, while decisions related to the salary increase or annual promotions for Group-A employees will continue to be made at the government level, the government has granted autonomy to municipal commissioners to approve salary increases for Group-B employees. This move aims to alleviate the burden on employees who previously had to navigate bureaucratic processes in the Chandigarh office.
The revised decision ensures that Group-B employees will no longer be required to visit the Chandigarh office for salary increase approvals, streamlining the process and enhancing efficiency. The Principal Secretary of the Local Bodies has issued a fresh notification outlining the updated procedures, marking a positive shift in the governance approach.
This move reflects the government’s commitment to responsive governance, acknowledging and addressing the concerns raised by employee unions. It is expected to create a more efficient and accessible system for municipal corporation employees, particularly those in Group-B, as they navigate promotions and salary adjustments at the local level