The government has formed a 22-member National Pay Commission to review and recommend a new pay structure for officers and employees of government, semi-government, autonomous bodies, state-owned banks, financial institutions, public universities, and state-run industrial enterprises.
According to a notification issued by the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance on Sunday (July 27), the commission has been formed under Section 15 of the Government Service Act, 2018.
The commission will submit its recommendations within six months from the date of its first meeting, read the notification.
Former Finance Secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan has been appointed as chairman of the commission. Full-time members include former secretary Dr Mohammad Ali Khan, former comptroller general Md Moslem Uddin, and former ambassador Md Fazlul Karim.
Part-time members include former auditor general Ahmed Ataul Hakim, economist Dr Mohammad Zahid Hossain, former secretary Dr Zishan Ara Arafunnesa, retired Major General A I M Mostafa Reza Noor, Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Dr Md Habibur Rahman, and several professors and professionals from public universities and institutions. Representatives from the armed forces, law ministry, public administration ministry, home ministry, ICAB, FBCCI, and the Finance Division will also be part of the commission.
A secretary or additional secretary from the Ministry of Public Administration will serve as the member-secretary. The commission is allowed to co-opt additional part-time members if necessary.
The commission will review current salary structures, allowances, and other benefits and recommend adjustments to develop a timely and appropriate pay structure.
As per notification the committee will also propose salary schemes for specialised professionals, assess income tax responsibilities, and evaluate non-salary benefits such as housing, healthcare, transport, entertainment, deputation, festival bonuses, and leave encashment.
Other areas of review include aligning salaries with inflation, retirement and pension schemes, performance-based pay, monetisation of direct service entitlements (e.g., mobile phone and vehicle use), and correcting inconsistencies in the pay structure.
While preparing its recommendations, the commission will consider the cost of living for a household of up to six members, including expenses for education and healthcare for up to two children.
The committee will also assess the country’s economic growth, government resources, administrative and security needs, institutional budgets, poverty reduction goals, and strategies to improve efficiency and service quality in public administration.
MSK/
