Government today raised their Grade Pay by partially amending Sixth Pay Commission recommendations implemented in 2008 and restructured the cadre.
The new pay structure in both industrial and non- industrial trades, usually called defence artisans, would be implemented with retrospective effect from January 1, 2006 .
Under the new pay scales, Skilled Artisans would be in the Pay Band-I and their Grade Pay would be Rs 1,900.
Highly Skilled Grade-II Artisans would also be bracketed under Pay Band-I, but their Grade Pay would stand at Rs 2,400.
Highly Skilled Grade I Artisans, who too would be under Pay Band-I, would receive a Grade Pay of Rs 2,800.
Master Craftsman under Pay Band-II would be paid a Grade Pay of Rs 4,200.
Wherever the grade structure in the Industrial as well as Non-Industrial trades is already existing in the ratio of 45:55, the erstwhile Skilled and Highly Skilled, and 25% of Highly Skilled in the grade of Master Craftsman, the following will apply:
1) 45% of the posts may be granted the pay scale of Skilled Worker (Grade pay of Rs. 1900 in the Pay Band PB-1).
2) 25% of remaining 55% may be granted the pay scale of Master Craftsman (Grade Pay of Rs. 4200 in the pay band PB-2);
3) The remaining posts may be divided in a ratio of 50:50 and redesignated as Highly Skilled Worker Grade-II (Grade Pay of Rs. 2400 in pay band PB-1) and Highly Skilled Worker Grade-1 (Grade pay of Rs. 2800 in pay band PB-1).
The placement of the individuals in the posts resulting from the restructuring shall be made w.e.f. 1.1.2006, in relaxation of the conditions, if any, i.e trade test etc. as one time measure. Highly Skilled Grade I shall be en-bloc senior to Highly Skilled Grade II.
The Post of Master Craftsman shall be part of the hierarchy and the placement of Highly Skilled Grade I in the grade of Master Craftsman will be treated as promotion.
In the case of Defence Establishments where there is no category of Skilled Workers and direct recruitment is made 100% at the level of Highly Skilled, the posts of Master Craftsman existing as on 1.1.2006 will be placed in PB-2 + GP-4200 and the remaining posts of Highly Skilled Workers may be bifurcated in HS-I and HS-II in the ratio of 50:50.