Thiruvananthapuram: IAS officers have asked govt not to deduct the share towards chief minister’s distress relief fund ( CMDRF ) from their salary until a collective decision is taken by all its association members. In a letter to principal secretary (finance), IAS association president B Ashok requested that salary deduction shouldn’t be made applicable for Aug or until the decision is taken and conveyed. The association is likely to meet soon and a collective decision will be taken on the matter soon.
Though chief minister had held talks with other employee organizations seeking a contribution from their salary towards CMDRF, the IAS association was not consulted. Also, there are opinions among members that instead of deducting salary and contributing to CMDRF, the association members could pool in money and hand over a lump sum amount to govt or to an agency like NDMA to be used for Wayanad . Meanwhile, many officers have given their consent for contributing five-day salary towards CMDRF, as Aug 24 was the last day for informing consent to deduct salary.
The salary challenge is to begin from Aug. Some have personally requested not to deduct too. Govt had come up with detailed guidelines on salary deduction of its employees for contribution to CMDRF.
In finance department’s detailed order, the govt said “though it is not mandatory to contribute, no one should keep off from contribution”, making it unclear about what would be the consequence if someone opts out. Employees have been given multiple options to contribute their share to CMDRF. A consent form has also been attached along with the order, in which employees should give their consent to the proposal.
Employees can contribute their five-day salary from the payment towards general provident fund, by surrendering their earned leave, or from their employee provident fund. Those contributing their five-day salary can do so in three instalments — one-day salary in the first month and two-day salary in the next two months from Aug. Those willing to contribute their salary of more than five days can do so in five instalments, as per the order.
Govt has also opened a separate account in the treasury for the purpose. Govt’s salary challenge initiative towards CMDRF in the wake of Wayanad landslides is applicable for PSUs, boards and corporations, universities, grant-in-aid institutions, local bodies, commissions and tribunals besides direct govt employees. Govt expects to raise at least Rs 500 crore through the salary challenge.
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