The government is moving closer to a final decision on the long-anticipated 9th National Pay Scale for public sector employees, with high-level policy discussions and calculations now in their final stages, according to official sources.
A crucial meeting of the Secretary Committee is scheduled for Wednesday and is widely expected to play a decisive role in finalising the core structure and implementation framework of the new pay scale. Administrative circles are abuzz with speculation that the meeting could approve key outlines of the revised salary structure.
Government sources said the new pay scale is likely to be implemented in phases, with the basic salary component expected to be fully adjusted in the first phase. Under the plan, the revised basic pay structure may take effect from July.
Officials indicated that the government’s preliminary decision is to provide immediate financial relief to employees through adjustments in basic pay, while allowances such as house rent, medical, and transport benefits would be introduced gradually in subsequent phases.
Officials from the Finance Division said the implementation wing has been working for a long time to finalise the structure of the 9th Pay Scale, and the upcoming Secretary Committee meeting is seen as a key milestone. The meeting is expected to address how much of the Pay Commission’s recommendations will be accepted, with three main issues on the agenda: salary structure, phased implementation, and fiscal capacity.
Sources familiar with the process said a three-phase plan is under consideration: adjustment of basic pay in the first phase, revision of allowances in the second, and full benefit implementation in the final phase. Earlier plans had suggested splitting implementation across two fiscal years, but the revised approach prioritises a significant portion of basic salary adjustment within the first year.
The Pay Commission had recommended salary increases ranging from 100% to as high as 142%, with an estimated fiscal impact of around Tk 1,06,000 crore if fully implemented. A subsequent high-level review committee later proposed a maximum increase of up to 120%.
Budget analysis for 2026"27 shows a significant rise in allocation for public administration, with salary and allowance expenditure increasing sharply compared to the previous fiscal year. A major allocation has been raised by about Tk 54,000 crore, part of which is reportedly earmarked for partial implementation of the new pay scale.
