7th Pay Commission does not agree with the demand for upgrade of Havildar and equivalent to GP 4200.
Havildar and equivalent scale due to changes in Master Craftsmen Scale
The Services have pointed out that the pay upgradation of Artisans has been effected by the Ministry of Defence in June 2014 whereby the following revised scales have been introduced:
Designation : Skilled (Artisan) – From Grade Pay 1800 to Grade Pay 1900
Designation : Highly Skilled (Artisan) Grade II – From Grade Pay 1900 to Grade Pay 2400
Designation : Highly Skilled (Artisan) Grade I – From Grade Pay 2400 to Grade Pay 2800
Designation : Master Craftsman – From Grade Pay 2800 to Grade Pay 4200
Prior to this, Master Craftsman, at GP 2800 was at par with Havildar and the unilateral upgradation of Master Craftsman has created an anomaly, as stated by the Services. They have accordingly sought GP 4200 for Havildar and equivalent.
Analysis and Recommendations : The Commission sought the views of Ministry of Defence in this regard. The Ministry has stated that an upgrade in respect of one set of employees cannot be cited as a basis for similar upgrade for other employees especially where conditions of service rendered are entirely different and the services functions and duties are not comparable.
It was further stated that in many cases armed forces may have a higher pay scale/grade pay which cannot be a criterion for upgradation of pay of civilian personnel. The Commission notes that subsequent to the recommendations of the VI CPC the cadre structure of Artisan/Workshop staff was reviewed by the government and new levels were created in the cadre structure.
This inter alia entailed upgradation in the scale of Master Craftsmen. The Commission is also of the considered view that pay alone cannot be a determining factor for drawing functional equivalence between two sets of employees, more so when the comparison is between defence and civilian
personnel who are guided by different service conditions. These service conditions have been further altered for civilian personnel since 01.01.2004, who have been moved from a defined benefits system of Pension to a defined contribution one. In view of the above the Commission does not agree with the demand for upgrade of Havildar and equivalent to GP 4200