See how poorly paid we are: IAS, IPS

While pitching for higher salaries before the Sixth Central Pay Commission, associations of IAS and IPS officers have pointed to the corporate word to underline how poorly paid they are.

While pitching for higher salaries before the Sixth Central Pay Commission, associations of IAS and IPS officers have pointed to the corporate word to underline how poorly paid they are. The IPS Association8217;s presentation says that while a DGP earns roughly three times more than a fresh recruit to the IPS, a CEO in the corporate sector gets as much as 30 times the salary of a management trainee.

The IAS Association, meanwhile, points to the enormity of the job that they undertake8212;from managing human beings and resources in the face of competing agendas, vested interests and coalition politics8212;to seek better pay.

Pointing out that poor pay affects governance and poor governance can bring down economic growth from 9 per cent to 3.5 per cent, the association says the morale officers are so low that they are lobbying for economic avenues such as postings in the World Bank.

The association pleads for monetarisation of perks, market-linked salary and performance-linked incentives. It says that the fixed part of the pay should be calculated on the basis of the cost to government which, in turn, should be linked to the Consumer Price Index.

The association has requested the Pay Commission to utilize this opportunity to rework the pay structure to attract and retain the best talent available. It also asks for freedom of 8220;lateral movement8221; for the officers to government, private and non-profit organizations 8220;as per the terms of the borrowing organisation.8221;

The IPS Association, on the other hand, says that in metros such as Delhi and Mumbai where a three-bedroom flat costs between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore, the EMI for a 20-year loan will be around Rs 50,000 which is beyond the means of officers.

Moreover, the rigid structure of the pay package makes it difficult for them to plan tax savings as well. The association has demanded more allowances such as special duty allowance, risk allowance and disturbed area allowance.

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The association says that while an IPS officer has to contend with complaints ranging from non-registration of complaints to poor intelligence gathering, he/she has to work in difficult and risky conditions. However, the association claims their pay scale is lower than other services whose working conditions are far better.

Asking For More

What IAS claims to do

8226; Perform multidimensional functions, but with limited voice

8226; Manage men and resources optimally in the face of competing agendas, vested interests, and politico-economic reality

8226; Provide leadership and co-ordination to meet the rising aspirations of a country with a large and growing middle-class

What they want

8226; Salary linked to Consumer Price Index

8226; Allowances that are at current market rates, not pegged artificially low

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8226; Performance-linked incentives based on measurable outcomes, fair and transparent evaluation

What IPS claims to do

8226; Maintaining public order, acting against crime, cracking down on organised crime