Pay Commission report on fresh pay scale to be submitted tomorrow: Salehuddin

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today (20 January) informed that the Pay Commission, formed to frame a new salary structure for the government employees, is scheduled to submit its report before the Chief Adviser tomorrow.

He said that the potential recommendations in the Pay Commission's report would first undergo scrutiny by relevant committees.

"The report will be examined by various committees after submission, and only then will a decision be taken on implementation," he told journalists at the Bangladesh Secretariat here today.

He noted that the verification and review process usually takes three to four months, indicating that the new pay structure would take some time to come into effect.

He expressed optimism that the government employees would be satisfied with the recommendations, saying the commission members had prepared their proposals by prioritising the interests of public servants.

Responding to concerns over whether a salary hike could hurt the market, the Finance Adviser said there would be no adverse effect.

"The government is giving importance to strengthening the supply side," he said, adding that this approach would help keep the market stable.

Asked whether the pay rise could have any electoral implications, given the upcoming national election, Dr Salehuddin dismissed the notion, saying the issue had no connection with election.

He described the work of the current Pay Commission as an exceptional example, noting that its members consulted a wide range of stakeholders during the process.

"They held multiple discussions with people from different walks of life — including government employees, teachers, students, various associations, as well as retired pensioners and senior citizens," he said.

Acknowledging that it would not be possible to meet all demands in full, the Finance Adviser said the needs and expectations of different groups would be reflected in the recommendations as far as practicable.

However, he reiterated that the commission's proposals would not necessarily be implemented in their entirety, as they would be subject to review and final approval.

Meanwhile, on the reform of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), Dr Salehuddin said a final decision had been taken at the National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reform (NICAR).

Under the new structure, the NBR will be divided into two separate wings — one for tax policy and another for tax administration.

He said the existing Internal Resources Division (IRD) framework would be abolished, and NICAR has given its final approval to the new arrangement.

The Finance Adviser also said that on 27 January, Dr Nasiruddin Ahmed would submit an important report on tax policy to the Chief Adviser. "Many aspects of future revenue management will depend on this report," he added.

Reflecting on their tenure, Dr Salehuddin said the current administration is initiating several significant reform processes that would serve as a positive legacy for the successive government.

"The fact that the Chief Adviser himself will receive the Pay Commission report shows how much importance the government is attaching to this issue," he said.