New Delhi: The decision taken by different state governments to cut or defer salaries of government employees in light of the Covid-19 pandemic has stoked resentment among Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers posted there.
While some have dismissed the decision as “mere optics”, others said civil servants didn’t earn enough for the cuts to amount to a significant corpus. They also pointed out that the cuts came on top of the voluntary donations they had made to the PM-CARES fund.
The governments of Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have announced that all elected representatives as well as most government employees will receive 50-70 per cent less pay in March to aid the battle against Covid-19.
While Maharashtra and Telangana have announced pay cuts, Rajasthan, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have deferred a portion of salaries (100 per cent of elected representatives’ pay will be deferred in Andhra).
Some states have announced exemptions, including for police and healthcare workers in Rajasthan, and employees below Class III in Maharashtra.
All states have either invoked the impact of Covid-19 on finances or the need to shore up funds to justify the cuts, but several IAS, IPS and IFS officers told ThePrint that the argument didn’t hold water.
“The salary of an IAS officer is no more than Rs 2.5 lakh (a month) even if they are at the most senior level in the state… The average salary is Rs 1.5-1.75 lakh,” said an IAS officer from Rajasthan.
“Even if there are 250 officers in a state like Rajasthan, how much are you actually saving? Rs 5 crore? Add all the IPS and IFS officers’ salaries, and you are not talking more than Rs 10-12 crore.”
An IAS Association office-bearer said senior officers constituted a fraction of staff in both the central government and the states.
“It is the Army, railways and the Central Armed Police Forces on which the government spends a large chunk of its resources… But deferring the salary of senior officers makes for better optics,” the officer said. “However, since it is just deferment, and not a salary cut, it is OK.”
An IFS officer agreed. “This seems like mere optics. The government is incurring expenses of thousands and thousands of crores due to Covid-19… How are they going to change anything by saving even Rs 20 crore?”
Also Read: Akshay Kumar, Virat Kohli, Mukesh Ambani pledge support to PM CARES to help fight Covid-19
‘Our work has gone up manifold’
The officers pointed out that several associations had come forward to donate thousands and lakhs of rupees to the PM’s Covid-19 fund, which made the cuts seem “unnecessary”.
“We came out ourselves and donated one day’s salaries or more for the fund. Now everyone is wondering what the point is,” the IFS officer quoted above said.
“Is there a financial emergency in the country that the governments are adopting such extreme measures? If there is, then they should come out clean.”
A retired IAS officer who has been re-employed by the government said it was unlikely that such a step had ever been taken in India’s history. “During wars or other emergencies also, such a step was never taken…But again, this is a situation which is as unprecedented as it gets.”
Vikas Yadav, a retired IAS officer of the UP cadre, echoed the claim. “I don’t remember the government taking such a drastic step before, but since civil servants are the most privileged of government staff, such a situation warrants extreme steps.”
An IPS officer from Delhi said the salary cuts had come at a time when government staff across the board was “working tirelessly to contain the spread of the disease”. The officer said they were scared other state and union territory governments across the country may take similar steps.
“Look at police… Our work has gone up manifold since the outbreak,” said the police officer. “Then why are the salaries being cut or deferred? This is bound to have a negative impact on the morale of thousands of officers and staff working in these tough times.”
Also Read: Modi tells Indian envoys to ‘mobilise’ funds for PM-CARES fund to tackle Covid-19
Cutting out salaries is like cutting our throats …how can we pay our loans and other fixed expenses ….if they will also allow similar benefit to us …….instead of cutting our salaries why don’t govt. Expenses and various allowance given to MLA and mp’s ….the have excess to all facilities for instance super delux room in hospital , super luxury bus seats , business class seats in aeroplanes , rooms in any hotel and many more which are totally free ……..cutting there expense will bring 1000 cr which is far greater than cutting throats of employee ……..if you put scissor on our pocket what about market purchasing capacity it will be totally destroyed also after govt. Same salary cuts will be seen in private sector too as they will get a nice opportunity and you will witness a mass number of suicides through out country and it will also effect businesses to because purchasing capacity will suffer ……1 day salary cut for entire year is what a govt. Employee can afford …….we have education loans to pay ,housing loans to pay ,car loans to pay ,school fees , college’s fees ,rent of accomodations ,medical bills who will pay them ……
government should not cut salaries of anybody. and instead of it they can cut allowances and area fund given to mla and mp and by cutting their allowances and subsidy govt will earn at least 1000 caror in each state. and there is no need to cut salaries of even mp and mla and salary is only small fraction of expenditure incurred on them. and their salary should be taxable as all govy ser having salaries above 10 lakh are paying 30 per ent tax already and same shold be done for politisians too. all high grade employee already pay salaries equal to 2 month in tax form at least.and mgnarega fund which is never utilised fully in last 5 year and currently not utilised due to lockdown should be utilised. it will give enough money in vovt hand. And this is time where extra payment shold be given to employees of essensial services whether medical or police or anyone else to motivate them. mp mla area dev fund should be utilised in corona containment. if even sfter that if yhere is finansial emegency then pay cut shold be for those whose department are not working due to lock down not to those who are working extra hours
I always think indian railways spends 2 much on it’s employees just think at the time of diwali they give 70 days salary to them, and look at the condition of trains.. All the govt department who is not working… Their salary should be cut to half considering their grades and overall monthly pay…
I am a railway employee do you have idea how much we get bonus every year it is 18000/- to 19000/- Only. Its not 70 days salary my salary is 35,000/-(+) if i get 70 days bonus i have to get 80,000/- (+) .please make sure u know about the matter before u post on social platform. Everyday railwaymen work day & night to make sure u have no powercuts in ur homes by transporting coal.u get food in ur plate by transporting grains fertilizers etc. If you ride a bike the petrol or diesel in your car comes to you through railways. If you want go to a destination hundreds of kms away ecnomically railways are best option. If the security of this country wants power like guns tanks various defence materials and army men transported through railways. UR medicines also transported. U can’t just go on commenting if you have no Idea about THE life line of the country “INDIAN RAILWAYS “
Well then enable railways not railwaymen, we need railways not the railway unions. Privatize the railways and if you’re worthy then you can work and thrive in private sector as well, but privatization is opposed by lazy union workers who just want to be a burden on tax payers.
During crisis situation, everybody ( president to watchman) have to make sacrifices depending on their salary and perks. One doesn’t need more than 20000 to survive even in the costliest city. If they are not happy with the pay cuts, then let them say quits and look for some Pvt sector job.
Why does your portal always search for every thing negative in whatever happens in India. I watch your news for amusement as to how a group of people and media remain pessimistic in the best of worst situationssituations. Congrats on your unbeatability. I still want to read you for amusement.
Why have you not added Kerala?
Salary is only icing on the cake for most of them. But it is not the time to point fingers when effort of everyone is needed.
I totally agree with you. It’s a joke that some of them say that in any case, they do not earn enough. Did they join for salary only? However, there is a fraction of them which will be honest and honest will never have any problem in spite of pay cut because they minimize their requirement, anyway.
Wow great decision by these officers before getting into selection they say we serve for the people and nation once get into selection just forget thoose words wow india needs these type of officers these should awarded They have no right to be in that post.
Wow great decision by these officers before getting into selection they say we serve for the people and nation once get into selection just forget thoose words wow india needs these type of officers these should awarded shame on these officers. They have no right to be in that post.
This is unfortunate that an IAS officer, arguing about their economic crisis at the same time our country is suffering from the same problem, but they were in their personal problems.. If they required much amount of money they had not to Waste their talent in civil services because it the work of people… I had chosen this profession for well-being of my society and country.. I hope they will also understand the circumstances of country.
Good these IAS and IPS earns in crore….out of 100 only 1 will be that honest who spend his life only in salary all bloody our corrupt big time…..so good step by govt…infact their salary should be reduced to half for at least 6 months….they r here to serve people…..now imagine how easily they do corruption…greedy souls…selfish…
Good these IAS and IPS earns in crore….out of 100 only 1 will be that honest who spend his life only in salary all bloody our corrupt big time…..so good step by govt…infact their salary should be reduced to half for at least 6 months….they r here to serve people…how easy they forget moment money comes…now imagine how easily they do corruption…greedy souls…selfish…
In present situation , these officers are the only ones working non stop , to ensure that lockdown and isolation works so that lives could be saved , by taking grave risk of infection themselves , therefore cutting their salary does not make sense at this stage , these people too have a family to feed and provide other necessities , taking their income is immoral and inhuman .
The economy of the country is not strengthened by knee jerk policies of deducting the employees salary. No organization should have the right to do so. I am unable to understand the concept of PM Cares fund. How will it be disbursed and to whom. PM RELIEF FUND, CM relief fund, disaster management fund there is an attempt to start so many parallel allocation of funds
Most of the civil servants have accepted in personal interview after selection that they left billions package for serve nation and her people. They are motivated by service rather than salary now what happened service spirit disappear very early in career now prefrence is money. This is shameful.
Most of the civil servants have accepted in personal interview after selection that they left billions package for serve nation and her people. They are motivated by service rather than salary now what happened service spirit disappear very early in career now prefrence is money. This is shameful.
I think no salary be drawn to All India Services officer.They are privileged group and have facilities too.
People enjoying best of power and privileges cant spare few thousands, they are complaining like daily wage earners,
It’s disgusting and shameful for the IAS & IPS to crib on the pay cut. They have all the comforts of life and yet are suggesting to curb the expenses of the Armed and para military Forces.
The Armed and Para Military Forces are doing a great job and without them , can these blue eyed boys born with silver spoon in service enjoy the perks ? The high amount of salary they get alongwith perks is not equal to the job they perform unlike other Corporates.
Salary cut by the State Government 50-70% of IAS, IPS and other Central Government’s Officers can not be welcome except in a severe financial Emergency. During acute critical situation arising out of COVID-19, all those Officers and also lower level officers, personnel are renderings manifolds duties over their capacity even.
Under the circumstances, all those State Governments should review and reconsideration further before any final decision.
All Contributions should be Volunteering offers to PM Cares Fund for COVID-19.
Salary cut by the State Government 50-70% of IAS, IPS and other Central Government’s Officers can not be welcome except in a severe financial Emergency. During acute critical situation arising out of COVID-19, all those Officers and also lower level officers, personnel are renderings manifolds duties over their capacity even.
Under the circumstances, all those State Governments should review and reconsideration further before any final decision.
Non BJP States have done this. Except Orissa the rest are corrupt Congress ruled states and will siphon off most of this money. The Congress politicians will give with one hand and take away with the other such is their corrupt tribe.
Everyone is taking a cut in private sector. Why should IAS, IPS be shielded. But by that logic MP and MLA should take the cuts first followed by everyone in public sector.
Brother police is working 17 hrs a day…..agar is par bhi salary cut kroge toh kharab toh lgega na…..koi financial emergency Hai toh govt ko clear Krna chye….
Brother!! Doctors ka salary cut ho raha hai.. toh sab ka kyu nahi
Absolutely right !
Disgusting
Y only govt tenure officers hv to pay for the crisis from their pay thst too 60 to 70 percent. Then what is left for their livelihood. Y not all politicians forego their whole salary for another six months as they r enjoying everything free accommodation food transport and simply sitting and giving bloody speeches. In this country whenever there is crisis genius, like Tatas and other top corporate business tycoons only hv donated. These politicians are simply squeezing the blood of common man.
Knowingly or not foreigners were asked to come to India and invest which resulted in movement of people from and to other countries result this virus. Without finding how to come out of this simply giving speeches shame on this system crores if Rs r credited to PM cares fund but el it reach the needy. Since ten days we r trying to buy mask no stock medicines r not available vegetables r fold 4 to 5 times its price. Where is our economy stands Result of improper management. Always a successful person has to climb step by step simply roaming all over the world making show off that whole world is friendly with us so what we hv achieved. Useless countries hv kept their cold malice and an eye on us which is ending in agony and innocent people hv to pay their lives who is responsible for this let the politicians think abt it rather than punishing govt servants.
Post corona, every body will suffer some blows in their pay, whether in private, public or unorganized sectors. This pay cut for government employees may appear to be an optic but is necessary. However, Government must now review its expenses and reduce and optimize overall cost of administration, rather than just pay cut. Hopefully, good IAS/IPS guys do not leave their jobs and inefficient nincompoops hang on!!
If an IAS or IPS or other BABU of that category cannot happily or willingly manage with a 50% wage cut for 2 months. He needs to be sacked immediately. People who lack basic personal financial prudence or skills cannot be trusted with the management of the interests of the population.
These are not FAIR WEATHER BIRDS, we pay them to lead from the front with example.
Indian people and their government to IAS: We expect you to work 24X7 but will not pay you the salaries and suspend you also.
Instead of cutting /deduction of salary can any body think about the pension payment to retired govt employees,all other retired banks,psu ,universities etc,some part of pension to be deferred till 31.3.2021 then release in installment.