Thiruvananthapuram: The State Government has issued an order outlining the terms of reference for the 12th Pay Commission, which will recommend the revision of salaries and pensions of state government employees. In line with the principle of revising pay every five years, salaries and pensions will be revised with retrospective effect from July 1, 2024. It was on that date that five years were completed since the last pay revision.

The Pay Commission will also examine the procedures followed for calculating salaries and pensions and consider simplifying them. The objective is to reduce the time taken for salary calculations and thereby lower related administrative costs.

The Pay Commission has also been asked to study the benefits currently available to Central Government Employees but not to State Government employees, and examine the possibility of extending such benefits.

The Commission has been given a three-month tenure. However, since its functioning has not yet begun, three months may prove insufficient. So far, no Commission has submitted its report within three months.

Even if the report is submitted within the stipulated period, it will only be by June, by which time there may be a change of government.

Former Chief Secretary V P Joy is the chairman of the Commission.