Sixth Pay Commission: Pay panel ignored our demands: CWPRS scientists

PUNE: Scientists and engineers working as assistant research officers (AROs) in the group B gazetted cadre of the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) on Thursday alleged that the Sixth Pay Commission ignored them.

According to a statement released by the 'CWPRS Group B E and D Professionals Association', many AROs have stagnated for more than 22 years and that the pay panel failed to address their grievances.

The CWPRS, Khadkwasla, is one of the premier research organisations under the administrative control of the ministry of water resources.

The association said that Group A and Group B scientists and engineers are shouldering the same responsibilities. About 65 scientists and engineers working as AROs with group B are in teams working on basic as well as applied research projects on water and energy resources development. They are also involved in projects related to water transport, including coastal and harbour engineering, it said,

"Most of them are losing in terms of salaries as well as career progression. We are the victims of apathy and ignorance of nodal government agencies responsible for our welfare," some office barriers of the association told TOI. Many of us have been working for the CWPRS for over 22 years, but they have lost hope for promotions," they added.

The group B employees had approached the pay panel for redressal of their grievances but did not get any satisfactory response, the association said. "We are shocked by the pay commission's recommendations as it has ignored scientists."

Repeated attempts by TOI to contact CWPRS director V.S. Bendre proved futile as the officials maintained that she was in a meeting.

When contacted, CWPRS additional director N. Ghosh said he was not aware of the matter.

Chief administrative officer (CAO) Rajendra Aswale said the office was waiting for the final report of the pay panel. "We have not received the final copy of the report which has been accepted by the government. Things will be get clear only after we receive a copy of the same," he said.


Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com