The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday said the next budget would have a specific announcement on dearness allowance for the government officials and employees.

"The Ministry of Finance is working out the modalities," he told reporters, replying to a question following an inter-ministerial meeting at his ministry.

He said, "The ministry was working on the possible monetary involvement against the allowance, be it 10 percent, 20 percent or 30 percent, and the impact on the budget deficit."

The government employees have been demanding pay hike in view of the soaring prices of the essentials. "I would have been the happiest person had I been able to declare it right now. There's nothing to hide about it," said the Finance Adviser.

Dr Aziz chaired the meeting on removing disparities in salaries and allowances of different ministries and other government agencies.

Food Adviser AM Shawkat Ali, LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal and senior officials concerned were present at the meeting.

The meeting approved the raising of the pay scale for the post of surveyor under the Ministry of Land from Tk 3,000-5,920 to Tk 3,300-6,940.

It also approved the proposal for the promotion and pay hike of superintendents and auditors of the Audit Cell of Food and Disaster Management Ministry, trekkers and inland masters of Chittagong Port Authority, forest rangers and the commandants of Marine Academy.

The meeting turned down another proposal for the promotion of assistant directors of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) for some complications.