Pay‑scale gazette demand before polls faces doubts, Finance Ministry officials say

Government employees are continuing their protest demanding publication of the Ninth National Pay Scale gazette before the 13th national election. After three consecutive days of work stoppages, employees say they will observe another work stoppage on Thursday. The prolonged disruption has brought government offices to a standstill, leaving citizens without services.

The Daily Campus spoke with several Finance Ministry officials about the ongoing stoppage and a planned Friday rally and march toward the Chief Adviser’s residence. They said employees have protested before and that protest is their right, but warned that excessive pressure could backfire. They said the interim government has arranged funding to implement the Ninth Pay Scale, yet they do not see strong justification for this type of movement.

No Finance Ministry official agreed to speak on the pay‑scale gazette issue before the election on the record. Speaking on condition of anonymity, they said there is no possibility of the Ninth National Pay Scale gazette being issued before the election. They said the advisory council meeting showed adverse reactions on the pay scale, and that the interim government will not take such a major decision immediately before the election.

Asked about the rally and hunger march, the officials added that employees had earlier confined the finance adviser at the Secretariat and several people were arrested as a result. They said the government is unlikely to view a pre‑election siege of the Chief Adviser’s office favorably.

Finance Adviser’s statement on pay scale
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said the interim government is leaving behind a comfortable economic situation for the next government. He said the shaky economy after 5 August has been stabilized over the last year and a half.

He made the remarks on Tuesday, 3 February, after a meeting of the advisory council on public procurement at the Secretariat.

He said many unnecessary projects from the previous government have been stopped, which has reduced employment and will be a challenge.

Salehuddin Ahmed said this government has arranged funding for the pay scale and that the next elected government will not be able to change that decision.

He added that implementation may take some time.

The finance adviser also said the government has allocated funds for a referendum, but not for a “Yes” vote. He said election allocations are higher this time than in past elections because of the referendum.