7th CPC Report on Drivers in Central Govt Services

7th CPC Report on Drivers in Central Govt Services

Drivers : Demands of Staff Car Drivers include:

i. pay enhancement,

ii. time bound promotion after completion of residency period,

iii. creation of a Gazetted post in the cadre, such as Motor Transport Officer, Transport Supervisor etc.,

iv. creation of an additional higher grade in PB-3,

v. enhancement of the entry grade pay from the present GP 1900, and

vi. abolition of prescribed placement ratio for promotion to next higher grade.

Drivers in the Defence (Civilian) sector have voiced the demand that they drive specialized heavy vehicles, and the minimum age requirement for acquiring a driving license for these vehicles is 22 years, as opposed to 18 years for a general license. They also contend that they perform physically more strenuous and technically more complicated functions, and therefore they should be compensated better.

Analysis and Recommendations : The general hierarchy in the cadre of drivers is as given in the table below:

The Commission observes that career progression is adequate. In any case, since MACP is also allowed to drivers, the operation of such percentages is really of not much significance as pay upgradation through MACP ensures that no one stagnates beyond a stipulated period. The Commission therefore recommends replacement pay levels for them.

As regards creation of posts such as Motor Transport Officer, Transport Supervisor in the gazetted rank, the Commission is not making any recommendation to this effect, as creation of supervisory post depends on the cadre strength and functional justification in each ministry/department.

Regarding Drivers in the Defence (Civilian) sector, the Commission is of the view that the government may consider placing such drivers in a distinct category with differentiating features which would include more stringent qualifying criteria and clear job description that bring out the higher responsibility and skills. The government should decide which of the drivers fall in this category and accordingly modify their recruitment rules, harmonise their entry requirements and designate them on similar lines.