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Subsistence. Allowance.

12. On the general question of making the present temporary increases to sub- sistence allowances permanent, I consider it preferable for the present to continue the system of temporary increases subject to revision periodically. These allow- ances are not pensionable, and there is therefore not the same objection to the con- tinuance of the temporary increases to these allowances as there is in the case of salaries.

13. I concur in the Commission's recommendation in paragraph 62 for the alteration of the rates of certain officers, except in regard to Clerks and Postmasters of the Post and Telegraph Department, in whose case I think it would be preferable to adopt the same classification as in the case of the Clerical Staff of the Railway (vide page 276 of Ceylon General Orders) and to allow---

(a) Those drawing a salary of Rs. 2,000 and over-Rs. 4 per diem plus

temporary increase.

(b) Those drawing less than Rs. 2,000-Rs. 2/50 per diem plus temporary

increase.

14. I also consider that in view of the grading of Irrigation Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors on a level with surveyors of Grade II and Grade III respectively, the former should be allowed the same subsistence rates as the latter. The changes would be:-

Sub-Inspectors drawing less than Rs. 1,680 per annum-Rs. 3 as against

the present Rs. 2.

Inspectors or Sub-Inspectors drawing Rs. 1,680 and over but less than

Rs. 3,240-Rs. 4 as against the present Rs. 3.

Inspectors drawing Rs. 3,240 and over-Rs. 5 as against the present Rs. 4. The rates quoted would have the temporary increase added to them as at present.

15. Another class of officers who deserve special consideration in regard to their subsistence allowance are the Interpreters to the Settlement Officers. These officers at present draw Rs. 4 per diem plus temporary increase 50 per cent., total Rs. 6 per diem-under the general classification on page 268 of the Ceylon General Orders. This rate is insufficient to cover their expenses, which are exceptionally heavy owing to the fact that they have to accompany the Settlement Officers on extended circuits in the Provinces far away from their headquarters at Colombo. I therefore recommend that they be allowed the following rates:-

Settlement Officer's Interpreter Mudaliyar and Reference Clerk-Rs. 6

per diem.

Assistant Settlement Officers' Interpreters--Ra. 5 per diem, plus the

temporary increase of 50 per cent, in each case.

16. I should also draw your attention to the fact that when the temporary increases to subsistence allowance were sanctioned in 1920 (vide paragraph 14 of the report) no increase was allowed on any rate over Rs. 10 per diem, which means that officers whose subsistence rate was Rs. 15 per diem-viz., members of the Execu- tive and Legislative Councils (when travelling on duties connected with the Council), Judges of the Supreme Court, Government Agents, and the Land Settlement Officer, received no consideration in this matter, although the enhanced cost of living affected them just as much as other officers who have to travel on duty. I do not see that these officers can logically be denied an increased rate to cover the additional expenses which they are undoubtedly put to under the altered conditions of living, and I therefore recommend that these officers be allowed the same rate of temporary increase-viz., 25 per cent.-as has been allowed to officers entitled to subsistence allowance over Rs. 6 and up to and including Rs. 10 per diem.

17. In this connection I desire to mention that it has long been felt to be a serious anomaly that the holders of the Staff appointments of the Government-- viz. the Colonial Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Controller of Revenue-should draw the same rate of allowance-viz., Rs. 10 per diem plus temporary increase, 25 per cent.as officers far inferior to them in official status, and less than Government Agents and the Settlement Officer, and I would therefore take this opportunity to suggest that the three officials mentioned should be allowed the same rate of sub- sistence allowance as the Government Agents-viz., Rs. 15 per diem, with temporary increase of 25 per cent., if my recommendation in the preceding paragraph is approved.

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Accountants and Audit Officers.

18. I am in entire agreement with the Commission's proposal to group all accounting posts in four classes. The salaries suggested for the different classes appear to be adequate. With regard to the proposed grading, I would suggest that one of the posts of Assistant Accountant, Post and Telegraph Department. be placed in Class III, and that of the Accountant, Railway Construction Department. in Class IV. The Honourable the Colonial Treasurer has been consulted on these points and agrees that these alterations are desirable. With these two slight modifi- cations I would advise the adoption of the Commission's proposals.

19.

Shroffs and Assistant Shroffs.

I concur in the views expressed by the Commission, and would recom- mend that their proposals be accepted.

Bookbinders.

20. I approve of the scheme proposed by the Commission for these officers subject to one modification. As the amount and importance of the work done by bookbinders in different offices vary, and these officers are non-transferable, a differentiation in salary between those holding the more important posts, and the others, is necessary, and I would provide for this by placing a bar before Rs. 815 per annum on the proposed scale and allowing no bookbinder to proceed beyond Rs. 600 per annum unless the Government considered that the importance of the post justified the higher salary. The scale would then be Rs. 420-15-600 for all ordinary bookbinders, with a further scale of Rs. 815-15-780 for specially selected posts.

21. The Commission has made no recommendation as to how those of the exist- ing bookbinders who draw fees in addition to their present salaries should be dealt with in being placed on the new scale. I recommend that they be given the option

of either being placed on the new scale at a point equal to or next above their present salary, plus temporary increase, plus 75 per cent. of the average annual fees drawn by them, or of remaining on their present salary plus the temporary increase, made pensionable, plus their present fees, which will continue to be non-pensionable. Except as above indicated, no bookbinder will in future draw fees, and any fees paid by the public in respect of services performed by these officers will be credited to Revenue as a set-off against the expenditure which will be incurred by Government in providing materials for binding and any extra clerical assistance necessitated by the proposed change, as it is intended that the work shall be done in future in office hours.

Peons, Process Servers, and Counters.

22. The proposals of the Commission with regard to these minor employees are calculated to effect a material improvement in their position and prospects, and I recommend their adoption.

Coolies.

23. I concur in the scheme proposed by the Commission on the understanding that it is to apply only to male, adult, wholetime employees. In any department, such as the Medical, where free diet forms part of the remuneration, the rates of pay will be suitably adjusted. The details as to the application of the scheme to existing employees, as well as suitable rates for women, boys, and part-time em- ployees will be settled on the lines indicated in paragraph 84, after the general scheme has been adopted.

Head 1: His Excellency the Governor.

24. The Commission have made no recommendation with regard to the salaries of the Aide-de-Camp and Private Secretary to His Excellency the Governor. In the case of these officers it will be sufficient if their present salaries and temporary increase are consolidated.

Chief Sinhalese Interpreter.

25. No salary has been recommended by the Commission. The present sub- stantive salary of this post is Rs. 2,500. It is, I consider, necessary that the salary provided for this post should exceed the maximum salary proposed for Chief Head-

I would suggest that it be fixed at Rs. 4,000.

men.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Į, k l k k

Reference :-

CO. 882/10

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON