New ROPA 2019 With Pay Matrix of West Bengal

The West Bengal government has published ROPA 2019 (Revision of Pay and Allowances) with the new pay matrix under the supervision of the 6th pay commission of the state. This revision has brought about changes in the pay and allowances structure for government employees in West Bengal. Here in this article, will discuss details about ROPA 2019 with pay matrix.

Understanding ROPA 2019 Pay Matrix

After ROPA 2009 the revised pay structure for government employees of West Bengal come in to force in the month of September 2019. Revision of pay and allowances includes all the details about new salary structure and available benefits for West Bengal Government Employees.

Salary Structure and Allowances

The salary structure of West Bengal Government Employees underwent a significant change under the ROPA 2019. Instead of the previous pay band system, it introduced the Pay Level in the Pay Matrix. House Rent Allowances (HRA) reduced from 15% to 12%, no provision of Dearness Allowance included in this ROPA, Medical Allowance increased from Rs. 300 to Rs. 500.

Summary about ROPA 2019

Important points of ROPA 2019

In the ROPA 2019 the following points are discussed:

• The pay of a Government employee in the revised pay structure will be determined based on the nearest rupee.
• If the figure arrived at corresponds to a Cell in the applicable Level of the Pay Matrix, that will be the pay.
• If no such Cell is available, the pay will be fixed at the immediate next higher Cell in that applicable Level.
• If the minimum pay or the first Cell in the applicable Level of the Pay Matrix is higher than the amount arrived at, the pay will be fixed at the minimum pay or the first Cell of that applicable Level.
• For employees on deputation, foreign service, leave, or those who would have officiated in lower posts, their pay in the revised pay structure will be fixed with reference to their pay in the existing Pay Band and Grade Pay or personal scale.
• The pay fixed for employees on deputation, foreign service, leave, or those who would have officiated in lower posts will be treated as substantive pay for the purpose of regulating pay in the revised pay structure.
• The text discusses the process of fixing pay in the revised pay structure based on the Pay Matrix.
• The Pay Matrix is a table that determines the pay level based on the existing pay band and grade pay.
• The existing pay band and grade pay are provided for each illustration.
• The existing pay in the pay band and basic pay are calculated based on the grade pay.
• As per ROPA 2019 the revised pay is calculated by multiplying the initial pay with a fitment factor of 2.57.
• The level corresponding to the grade pay is identified in the Pay Matrix.
• The revised pay is either equal to or next higher to the calculated amount in the Pay Matrix.
• If the minimum pay or first cell in the applicable level is higher than the calculated amount, the pay is fixed at the minimum pay or first cell.
• For employees who are eligible for non-practicing allowance, the revised pay is calculated by multiplying their current basic pay by 2.57 and then adding the pre-revised non-practicing allowance.
• If the identical figure in the applicable level corresponds to a cell in the Pay Matrix, that will be the pay. If not, the pay is fixed at the immediate next higher cell.
• The text provides multiple illustrations with different pay bands, grade pays, and levels to demonstrate the process of pay fixation.
• The text also includes provisions for government employees on leave, study leave, suspension, and those with existing emoluments exceeding the revised emoluments.
• There are rules for stepping up pay for employees who were drawing more pay than their juniors before the revision and for senior employees who draw less pay than their juniors after the revision.
• Personal pay is allowed for employees with existing emoluments exceeding the revised emoluments.
• The pay of fresh recruits appointed on or after January 1, 2016, is fixed at the minimum pay or first cell in the applicable level in the Pay Matrix.
• If the existing pay of a fresh recruit appointed before the notification of the rules exceeds the minimum pay in the revised pay structure, the difference is treated as personal pay.
• If a government employee is appointed to another post after January 1, 2016, their pay is fixed based on the level and cell that is equal to their last pay in the old post.
• If there is no corresponding cell in the applicable level, the pay is fixed at the immediate higher or lower cell depending on the level of the new post compared to the old post.
• For example, if an employee is in Level 9 and is appointed to a post in Level 9, their pay will be fixed at Rs. 30700, which is the immediate higher Cell in Level 9.
• If an employee is drawing pay of Rs. 34200 in Level 8 and is appointed to a post in Level 7, their pay will be fixed at Rs. 34200, which is available in a Cell in Level 7.
• If an employee is drawing pay of Rs. 34200 in Level 8 and is appointed to a post in Level 6, their pay will be fixed at Rs. 33300, which is the immediate lower Cell in Level 6. The difference of Rs. 900 will be treated as personal pay to be absorbed in future increments in Level 6.
• If an employee is drawing pay of Rs. 33500 in Level 9 and is appointed to a post in Level 6, their pay will be fixed at the lowest Cell in Level 6, which is Rs. 22700. This is because Level 6 is more than two Levels lower than their previous Pay Level.
• In all the above cases, the next increment will fall due on the 1st July after completing 6 months or more qualifying service in the new post.
• After fixation of pay in the appropriate Level in the Pay Matrix, the subsequent increment in the Level will be at the immediate next higher Cell vertically arranged in that Level.
• An employee in the basic pay of Rs. 29000 in Level 5 will move vertically downwards in the same Level to Rs. 29900 on the grant of an increment.
• As per ROPA 2019, all government employees are subject to an annual increment on the 1st of July each year. Employees who have completed at least 6 months in the revised pay structure as of July 1st will be eligible for the increment.
• The fixation of pay on promotion from one Level to another in the revised pay structure will be made by giving one increment in the Level from which the employee is promoted. They will be placed at a Cell equal to the figure arrived at in the Level of the promoted post. If no such Cell is available, they will be placed at the next higher Cell in that Level.
• Under the ROPA 2019, employees are given the choice to have their pay fixed either from the date of promotion or from the date of the next increment. If they opt for their pay to be fixed from the date of promotion, their next increment will be scheduled for the 1st of July after completing 6 months from the promotion date.
• If an employee receiving Non Practicing Allowance, their basic pay plus Non Practicing Allowance should not exceed Rs. 2,01,000.
• After effect of ROPA 2019 no arrears of pay will be paid to government employees in respect of the period from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2019.
• Government employees will be classified into Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D based on their Pay Levels.
• The provisions of these rules will have an overriding effect on any other rules, orders, or notifications currently in force.
• The Governor has the power to relax or dispense with the requirements of these rules in cases where they cause undue.
• Various pay levels and pay bands are mentioned for different positions in different departments and offices in West Bengal.
• Information is provided on the minimum pay for each level and the corresponding grade pay.
• Government employees are given the option to elect the revised pay structure from January 1, 2016.
• An undertaking form is included for employees to agree to refund any excess payment if it is found to be contrary to the rules.
• A form for the fixation of initial pay in the revised pay structure is provided, including basic pay, applicable level in the pay matrix, and revised basic pay.
• A notification from the Finance Department outlines the regulations for the revision of pay and allowances for the staff of the Public Service Commission, West Bengal.
• Notifications from the Home & Hill Affairs Department detail the rules for the revision of pay and allowances for officers and staff of the West Bengal Police Force, Kolkata Police Force, and Eastern Frontier Rifles Battalion.
• A notification from the Disaster Management and Civil Defence Department outlines the rules for the revision of pay and allowances for officers and staff of the West Bengal National Volunteer Force.
• Overall, the text provides detailed information about the revised pay and allowances for various departments and offices in West Bengal, including the applicable levels, pay bands, and minimum pay for each level. It also includes forms and notifications related to the revision of pay and allowances.
• The West Bengal government constituted a Pay Commission to examine the pay structure and conditions of service for various categories of employees.
• The categories of employees include those under the rule making control of the government, teaching and non-teaching employees of educational institutions, non-teaching employees of non-government colleges, employees of municipalities, panchayat bodies, and various constitutional and statutory bodies.
• The Pay Commission was also tasked with examining promotion policies, special allowances and other benefits, retirement benefits, and making recommendations based on the economic condition of the country and the resources of the state government.
• The Commission submitted its report on September 13, 2019.
• The government has accepted the Commission’s recommendation to introduce a new Pay Matrix to replace the current system of pay bands and grade pay.
• A separate table has been prescribed for government employees whose pay structures were not identical to those covered by the Commission’s recommendations.
• The new Pay Matrix is set out in various schedules and regulations published with the Finance Department Notification No. 5562-F dated September 25, 2019.
• The revised pay will be effective from January 1, 2016.
• The principle of fixation of pay in the revised pay structure has been accepted, and the method for arriving at the pay has been laid down in Rule 7 of the West Bengal Services (Revision of Pay and Allowance) Rules, 2019.
• The pay of a government employee who continued in service after December 31, 2015, will be determined by multiplying their existing basic pay by a factor of 2.57 and rounding off the result to the nearest rupee.
• The resulting figure will be located in the applicable level in the Pay Matrix, and if no corresponding cell is available, the pay will be fixed at the immediate next higher cell in that applicable level.
• For government employees receiving Non Practicing Allowance (NPA), their existing basic pay will be multiplied by a factor of 2.57 and added to the pre-revised NPA as of January 1, 2016.
• The resulting figure will be located in the applicable level in the Pay Matrix, and if no corresponding cell is available, the pay will be fixed at the immediate next higher cell in that applicable level.
• Rules have been laid down for exercising the option for drawal of pay in the revised pay structure, and the prescribed form for exercising the option has been provided.
• It is important for government employees to not only exercise the option within the specified time limit but also ensure that it reaches the prescribed authority within the time limit.
• TThe salary of direct recruits appointed on or after January 1, 2016, will be determined in accordance with Rule 8 of the West Bengal Services (Revision of Pay and Allowance) Rules, 2019.
• After fixation of pay in the appropriate level in the Pay Matrix, subsequent increments will be at the immediate next higher cell vertically arranged in that level.
• For pay fixation on promotion on or after January 1, 2016, the provisions of rule 11 should be followed.
• Government employees will be entitled to draw pay in the revised pay structure with effect from January 1, 2020, after initial fixation of pay as per their option.
• The Head of Office concerned will prepare the initial pay fixation statement in duplicate, and any excess amount drawn as a result of erroneous fixation of pay must be refunded.
• Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) rates have been specified for various categories of officers, with maximum limits based on revised basic pay.
• The rates of NPA will be effective from January 1, 2020.
• House Rent Allowance will also be effective from January 1, 2020.
• In 2020, the house rent allowance for a Government employee will be 12% of their revised basic pay, with a maximum of Rs. 12,000 per month.
• The monthly ceiling for house rent allowance for both spouses will be increased to Rs. 12,000.
• The term “basic pay” refers to the pay drawn in the prescribed pay level in the Pay Matrix and does not include Non Practicing Allowance or any other type of pay.
• The existing terms and conditions for drawing house rent allowance by Government employees living in their own house or in a rented house will continue to apply.
• Government employees provided with accommodation owned/hired by the Government will be subject to the existing terms and conditions, including the recovery of license fee.
• If a Government accommodation is in a habitable condition and earmarked for a particular post, the holder of that post will not be entitled to house rent allowance for living elsewhere.
• Group D employees occupying accommodations provided by the Government and according to their entitlement will be exempted from paying license fee.
• Group D employees required to occupy below standard or below entitlement accommodations that are not earmarked for them will also be exempted from paying license fee.
• As per ROPA 2019 the rate of Medical Allowance for Government employees and pensioners will be revised to Rs. 500 per month from January 1, 2020.
• The limit for reimbursement of the cost of medicine on each occasion of indoor treatment will be Rs. 3500 from January 1, 2020.
• Those who opt for the West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008 will not be entitled to the benefits of the revised Medical Allowance.
• Risk/Hazard Allowance will be admissible at a rate of Rs. 300 per month from January 1, 2020.
• Hill Compensatory Allowance will be admissible at 12% of revised basic pay, with a maximum of Rs. 2000 per month from January 1, 2020.
• Winter Allowance of Rs. 3,000 per annum will be admissible from January 1, 2020.
• Hill Compensatory Relief will be admissible at 12% of basic revised pension, with a maximum of Rs. 1000 per month from January 1, 2020.
• Winter Relief of Rs. 1500 per annum will be admissible from January 1, 2020.
• Sundarban Allowance will be admissible at revised rates based on pay levels, ranging from Rs. 40 to Rs. 140 per month from January 1, 2020.
• Washing/Kit Maintenance Allowance will be admissible at Rs. 70 per month from January 1, 2020.
• Extra Duty Allowance will be admissible at Rs. 300 per month from January 1, 2020.
• Tiffin Allowance for overtime work by Mechanical staff in the Pool Car Establishment will be admissible at Rs. 30 per hour, with a maximum of Rs. 180 per working day, subject to certain conditions from January 1, 2020.
• Tiffin Allowance for Secretariat Group D Employees will be admissible at Rs. 30 per day from January 1, 2020.
• Conveyance Allowance for physically challenged employees will be admissible at 5% of Revised Basic Pay, with a maximum of Rs. 800 per month from January 1, 2020.
• Additional Remuneration for Protocol Duties will be admissible at Rs. 700 per month from January 1, 2020.
• Cash Allowance for Senior Accounts Clerk/Cashier will be abolished from January 1, 2020.
• All other allowances will continue with the existing amount until they are revised. Employees joining after the issue of this memorandum will also receive the existing amount.
• No arrears of pay for the period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019 will be paid to Government employees.

ROPA 2019 Pay Matrix

The ROPA 2019 Pay matrix consists of the pay level, minimum entry point, and pay range, which convert the pay band of the previous pay structure. Here is the ROPA 2019 Pay matrix:

Download ROPA 2019 PDF

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Official Link of ROPA 2019: Click Here