AP PRC 2022: G.O. Ms. No. 1
A Detailed Analysis of Andhra Pradesh's Revised Pay Scales
Introduction
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued G.O. Ms. No. 1, dated January 17, 2022, outlining the comprehensive orders for the Revised Pay Scales (RPS), 2022. These orders are based on the recommendations of the 11th Pay Revision Commission (PRC) and a subsequent review by the Committee of Secretaries.
This G.O. is a critical document for all state government employees, detailing new pay scales, fitment benefits, allowance revisions, and arrear payment schedules.
Core Pay Revision
The centerpiece of the new pay revision is the fitment benefit and the new pay structure.
- Fitment Benefit: The Government has granted a fitment of 23% of the basic pay for fixing the pay in the new Revised Scales of Pay 2022.
- DA Merger: The Dearness Allowance of 30.392% as of 01-07-2018 will be merged into the pay.
- New Master Scale: A new Revised Master Scale for 2022 has been implemented, starting at Rs. 20,000 and ending at Rs. 1,79,000.
Key Implementation Dates:
Notional Implementation: The revised pay scales will be implemented notionally from this date.
Monetary Benefit: Employees are entitled to the monetary benefit from this date.
Cash Payment: The benefit of the new scales will be paid in cash from the salary of this month.
Revised Allowances
The G.O. outlines significant changes to key allowances for employees.
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
The HRA structure has been revised to align with Central Government rates, based on the 2011 census population figures. The new rates are effective from April 1, 2020.
| HRA Rate | Classification (Population) | Specific Locations Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 24% of Basic Pay | More than 50 lakh | Andhra Pradesh Bhavan & AP offices in New Delhi & Hyderabad |
| 16% of Basic Pay | 5 lakh to 50 lakh | Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, Guntur, Nellore, Vijayawada & Secretariat Departments at Velagapudi |
| 8% of Basic Pay | Up to 5 lakh | All other places |
Note: These HRA rates (8%, 16%, 24%) will be automatically revised to 9%, 17.5%, and 27% respectively, once the Dearness Allowance (DA) exceeds 50% of the basic pay.
Dearness Allowance (DA)
A new formula for calculating DA has been introduced, effective from January 1, 2019. The new DA rate will be 0.91% for every 1% of Dearness Allowance sanctioned to Government of India employees. The cumulative DA rate in the revised scales as of 01-07-2021 is 20.02%.
City Compensatory Allowance (CCA)
Following the 6th Central Pay Commission's findings, the Government has ordered to discontinue the City Compensatory Allowance (CCA).
Career Progression: Automatic Advancement Scheme (AAS)
The G.O. confirms the continuation of the Automatic Advancement Scheme with a significant new benefit for long-serving employees.
- Special Grade: Continued eligibility after 6 years of service in the same post.
- SPP-IA / SAPP-IA: After 12 years.
- SPP-IB / SAPP-IB: After 18 years.
- SPP Scale-IIA / SAPP Scale-IIA: The existing 24-year scale is continued and rechristened.
- NEW 30-YEAR BENEFIT: An employee who completes 30 years of service in a single post will be granted one increment in the SPP Scale-IIA/SAPP Scale-IIA. This new scale is named SPP Scale-IIB / SAPP Scale-IIB.
The AAS benefits are applicable up to and inclusive of Grade 25 (pay scale Rs. 76,730-1,62,780) in the revised scales.
Payment of Arrears
The G.O. provides a clear schedule for the payment of arrears, which will be calculated from April 2020 to December 2021. The total Interim Relief (IR) paid from July 2019 to December 2021 will be adjusted from this amount.
For CPS Employees (Appointed after 1-4-2004):
Arrears will be paid in four equal quarterly instalments in cash during the 2022-23 financial year:
- June 2022
- September 2022
- December 2022
- March 2023
For OPS Employees (Appointed before 1-4-2004):
Arrears will be credited to the employee's General Provident Fund (GPF) Account. This will also be done in four equal quarterly instalments on the same dates as CPS employees.
Other Major Decisions
Village & Ward Secretariat Employees
The Committee of Secretaries noted that these employees were not under the scope of the 11th PRC, as the cadre was created after its constitution. However, the Government has confirmed that the pay scales as per the service rules issued for these cadres will be followed, as detailed in Schedule-II of the G.O.
A Major Policy Shift: Aligning with Central Pay Commission
In a significant move for the future, the Government has ordered to discontinue the practice of constituting State Pay Revision Commissions. Instead, all subsequent revisions of pay and pensions for state employees and pensioners will be aligned with the recommendations of the Central Pay Commission.
Coverage Details
This G.O. (RPS 2022) applies to the following categories:
- Employees of the State Government
- Employees of Local Bodies & Aided Institutions (including Aided Polytechnics) who are in regular pay scales
- The Work-charged establishment in receipt of pay in regular pay scales
- Staff drawing pay in Andhra Pradesh Revised UGC/ICAR/AICTE Pay Scales
- Officers of the AP Higher Judicial Service and State Judicial Service
- Members of All India Services (AIS)
- Persons re-employed before July 1, 2018, and continuing on re-employment
