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Journalism of Courage
CHANDIGARH, Jan 27: Punjab Government has accepted the recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) for revised pay scales for college lecturers with effect from January 1, 1996. It has, however, rejected the recommendation of an extension in the age limit from 58 years to 62 years. Announcing this today, Punjab Finance Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh said the age limit of college teachers would remain 58 years, as is the case with the rest of the State government employees. For University teachers, the retirement age has been retained at 60 years.
The revised pay scales would be released with effect from January 1, 1999 and the salary of the current month would be paid as per the revised grades. An implementation committee consisting of the Chief Secretary, Finance Secretary and other senior government officials has been formed, which will submit its final recommendations within a period of one month with regard to allowances and other allied issues.
According to the decision of the Punjab Government, the pay of a lecturer in the revised scales would be fixed in such a manner that benefit of at least one increment in the revised scale is ensured for every three increments in the unrevised scale as per the "fitment formula" adopted by the Central Government for its employees. For the grant of advance increment in the revised scales of the corresponding unrevised scale of Rs 3700-5700, it could be settled after the matter has been discussed in the implementation committee.
The implementation committee will also look into the question of grant of house rent allowance, city compensatory allowance, travelling allowance and daily allowance, besides other allowance. The committee will also go into the matter of advance increments for people with higher qualifications. Meanwhile, in Patiala Punjab Finance and Planning Minister Kanwaljit Singh has assured the university teachers that the revised UGC pay-scales would be released soon. Punjabi University Teachers Association president S S Khaira said that the assurance was given after an association delegation met the minister regarding its demands.
