B Mirror Report : Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the Pay Commission, formed to prepare a new salary structure for government employees, is scheduled to submit its report to the Chief Adviser tomorrow.
Speaking to journalists at the Bangladesh Secretariat, Dr Salehuddin said the recommendations of the commission would first be reviewed by the relevant committees before any decision on implementation is taken.
“After the report is submitted, it will be scrutinised by different committees. Only after that process will a final decision be made regarding its implementation,” he said.
He noted that the verification and evaluation process generally takes three to four months, indicating that the new pay scale would not come into effect immediately.
Expressing confidence, the Finance Adviser said government employees are expected to be satisfied with the recommendations, as the commission framed its proposals by giving priority to the welfare of public servants.
Addressing concerns over a possible market impact of a salary increase, Dr Salehuddin said there would be no negative effect, adding that the government is focusing on strengthening the supply side to ensure market stability.
Responding to a question about whether the pay hike could have any electoral implications ahead of the upcoming national election, he dismissed the concern, saying the issue has no connection with elections.
He described the work of the current Pay Commission as exemplary, noting that its members consulted a wide range of stakeholders during the process.
“The commission held discussions with people from various sectors, including government employees, teachers, students, different associations, retired pensioners, and senior citizens,” he said.
While acknowledging that it may not be possible to fully meet all demands, the Finance Adviser said the expectations of different groups would be reflected in the recommendations as far as practicable. However, he reiterated that the proposals would be subject to review and may not be implemented in full.
On a separate issue, Dr Salehuddin said a final decision on reforming the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has been taken at the National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reform (NICAR) meeting.
Under the new structure, the NBR will be divided into two separate wings — one responsible for tax policy and the other for tax administration. He added that the existing Internal Resources Division (IRD) framework will be abolished, with NICAR giving final approval to the new arrangement.
The Finance Adviser also said that on January 27, Dr Nasiruddin Ahmed will submit an important report on tax policy to the Chief Adviser, noting that future revenue management will depend significantly on its findings.
Reflecting on the tenure of the current administration, Dr Salehuddin said several major reform initiatives are underway that would serve as a positive legacy for the next government.
“The fact that the Chief Adviser himself will receive the Pay Commission report shows the importance the government is placing on this matter,” he added.
