Eye on polls, Cong takes up ombudsman role in Gujarat

The Pay Commission’s recommendations, when they eventually trickle down to the states, will benefit 4.2 million Central Government employees and 20 million government employees.

The panel has invited suggestions before it begins its work. That’s where the GPCC comes into the picture. It will compile a list of suggestions and complaints which will be eventually be passed on to the Commission.

A decision in this regard was made on Friday by senior Congressmen and they have now invited complaints and suggestions, to be made at the GPCC headquarters in Ahmedabad. While most of the other programmes of the state Congress are taken up at the grassroot-level, this would be the job of the GPCC brass.

‘‘Any complaints or suggestion has to be given at the GPCC office. Only those who have a proper understanding of the subject will look into them. State government employees still have complaints about the Fifth Pay Commission. So we plan to provide them with a platform through which their doubts can be cleared,’’ said GPCC spokesperson Hasmukh Patel.

Although grievances and suggestions can be directly passed on to the Pay Commission, senior Congressmen believe that there were several people or smaller groups unable to approach the commissioner.

‘‘It’s not that we will pass on all suggestions that we get to the commission. In fact, a proper study of all the cases would be made before we finally pass them on. We will have a team of experts which will discuss the cases and draw specific suggestions,’’ stated Patel.

GPCC president Bharatsinh Solanki added that the Congress would take the lead in representing the grievances of the people of Gujarat.

‘‘It has been understood that the state government will follow the pay structure followed by the Central government and hence, this becomes as much a local issue,’’ he said.

He said that a team of experts would discuss the suggestions and recommendations of the panel and problems, if any were found, would be taken up with the Pay Commission.

While the GPCC is gearing up to lend a helping hand, senior Congressmen said that this was another attempt to gain popularity.

‘‘GPCC is desperately trying to reach out to the masses and this seems to be the right way through government employees,’’ said a senior leader.