Govt hikes basic pay of Gramin Dak Sevaks to up to Rs 14,500/month

New Delhi: In a major move that may give a boost to postal services in rural Indian, the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the raising the basic salary of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) to up to Rs 14,500 per month.

"Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) who were getting Rs 2,295 per month will get Rs 10,000. Those who were getting Rs 2,775 will get Rs 12,500 and GDS who were paid Rs 4,115 will get Rs 14,500 per month," said Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha on Wednesday. The minister said GDS would now work in two shifts instead of three and Cabinet has also approved compensatory appointment of a dependent of GDS which was not allowed earlier.

The decision to revise the wages of GDS, which will come with arrears with effect from January 1, 2016, will put a financial burden of Rs 1,257.75 crore on the postal department.

"Out of the total Rs 1,257.75 crore, the non-recurring amount will be Rs 860.95 crore and recurring amount will be Rs 396.80 crore. There are 3.07 lakh GDS working in 1,29,346 Grameen Post Offices across the country," Postal Secretary AN Nanda said while talking to Millennium Post.

"The GDS have been divided into two categories – branch postmaster and assistant postmaster. BPM would have to work for four hours then their wages would start from Rs 12,000 and they start their work with five hours, then their wages would be Rs 14,500," the Nanda said, adding that the wages of APM would start from Rs 10,000.

The GDS would also get 3 per cent increment annually on the lines of regular government officials' increment and they have to choose the date of availing the incentive from either January 1 or July 1, the secretary said. On the decision, LN Sharma, the Chief Postmaster General, Delhi, said it would not affect put any financial burden on Delhi circle as there are just 120 total GDS working in the circle.