Inside the 9th Pay Scale: Breakdown of Proposed Allowances
Following the formal submission of the 9th National Pay Scale report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus yesterday, details regarding the revolutionary changes in allowances and benefits have emerged. The 23-member commission, led by former Finance Secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, has proposed a salary hike ranging from 100% to 145% while retaining the existing 20-grade structure.
The report, submitted at the State Guest House, Jamuna, in the presence of Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed and other top officials, focuses heavily on improving the living standards of lower-grade employees and retirees.
The New Allowance Structure: Key Recommendations
The Commission has proposed significant upgrades to existing benefits and introduced new social security measures to combat inflation. A major recommendation includes setting the Boishakhi Allowance at 50% of the basic pay. For lower-tier employees (11th to 20th grade), the Tiffin Allowance is proposed to jump from a mere Tk 200 to Tk 1,000 per month.
In terms of mobility, the Transport Allowance is set to be expanded to include 10th-grade officers, who were previously excluded from this benefit. Furthermore, the Commission has introduced a landmark Disability Child Support allowance of Tk 2,000 per month for employees with children with disabilities, applicable for up to two children. Regarding House Rent, the Commission has recommended a pro-poor model, suggesting higher rental allowance rates for the 11th to 20th grades compared to the 1st to 10th grades to ensure housing security for all.
Revolutionary Pension and Medical Benefits
The report offers a significant lifeline to retired government servants. For those receiving a monthly pension of less than Tk 20,000, the Commission has recommended a 100% hike, effectively doubling their benefits. Pensioners in the Tk 20,000 to Tk 40,000 range are proposed to receive a 75% increase, while those receiving above Tk 40,000 will see a 55% rise.
Medical allowances have also been restructured based on age groups to address the rising costs of geriatric care. Pensioners aged 75 and above are recommended to receive Tk 10,000 monthly, while those between 55 and 74 are slated for Tk 8,000. Retirees under 55 would receive Tk 5,000, and those 40 or younger are recommended for Tk 4,000 per month.
Proposed Salary Increases Across Grades
The Commission’s recommendation aims to bridge the inequality gap by offering the largest percentage jumps to the lowest-paid employees. For instance, the 1st Grade basic salary is proposed to rise from Tk 78,000 to Tk 1,60,000, while the 10th Grade would move from Tk 16,000 to Tk 32,000.
The lower end of the spectrum sees the most dramatic shifts: Grade 15 moves from Tk 9,700 to Tk 22,800, Grade 19 moves from Tk 8,500 to Tk 20,500, and the lowest, Grade 20, is recommended to rise from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000—representing a nearly 145% increase.
The government has already allocated Tk 22,000 crore for a partial implementation starting January 1, 2026, with the full scale expected to be active by July 1, 2026.
