PAY GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL COMMITTEE

MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY THE

TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT AGRICULTURAL GRADUATES'
ASSOCIATION (TAGA) TO REDRESS THE PAY DISPARITY
AND REQUEST FOR FIXING A RATIONAL PAY

TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT AGRICULTURAL GRADUATES'

ASSOCIATION (TAGA):
Tamil Nadu Government Agricultural Graduates Association is a
legally constituted body and recognized by the Government of Tamil Nadu
vide G.O.Ms No.831 Public (Services I) Department dated 08.08.1929,
G.O.Ms No.48 Public (Services I) Department dated 6.1.1973 and G.O Ms.
No 94 Personnel & Administrative Reforms (K) Department dated:
22.7.2009 and registered under the Registrar of Societies, Central Chennai
vide Registration No. 246/2001 dated:21.11.2001. The Association
works for the welfare of Agricultural Graduates who are recruited
through Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) on direct
appointment as Group ‘B” officer in the Tamil Nadu Agricultural
Extension Service. The Agricultural Graduates are appointed as
Agricultural Officer (Extension) in the Tamil Nadu State Department of
Agriculture. The hierarchy is Agricultural Officer, Assistant Director of
Agriculture, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Joint Director of Agriculture
and Additional Director of Agriculture. The Officers are posted in the
Department of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Marketing
and Agri Business, Department of Seed Certification and Organic
Certification, Tamil Nadu WaterShed Development Agency, Tamil
Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board, Department of Sugars
and Tamil Nadu Seed Development Agency.

The Association is working towards the betterment of the personnel,

right from the Agricultural Officers to the Additional Directors of

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 Agriculture who are the highest State level officers next to the Director of
Agriculture, the departmental Head.

PAY STRUCTURE OF AGRICULTURAL GRADUATES IN VARIOUS

CADRE POSTS

The pay scale sanctioned by the State Government Pay commission

over the years is as follows:
AGRICULTURAL GRADUATES

Assistant
Pay Commission/ Agricultural Deputy Director Joint Director
Director of
Officer of Agriculture of Agriculture
Category of posts
Agriculture

3rd Pay Commission 1160 - 1950 1340 1560 1800

4th Pay Commission 2000 - 3500 2200-4000 3000-4500 3700-5000

TN Official Committee 1996 (5th

6500- 200 - 11100 8000-275-13500 10000-235-15200 12000-375-16500
Pay Commission)

TN Official Committee 2009

Rs.15600 -
G.O.Ms.No.234, Finance (Pay Rs.9300 -34800 + Rs.15600 -39100 + Rs.15600 -39100 +
39100 + GP
Cell) Department, dated GP 4700 (PB2) GP 5400 (PB3) GP 6600
7600
01.06.2009

One Man Commission 2010

G.O.Ms.No.257, Finance (Pay Rs.9300 -34800 +
- - -
Cell) Department, dated GP 4900 (PB2)
26.08.2010

G.O.Ms.No.448, Finance (Pay

Rs.15600 -39100 + Rs.15600 -39100 + Rs.15600 -39100 + Rs.37400 -67000
Cell) Department, dated
GP 5400 (PB3) GP 6600 GP 7600 + GP 8700
31.12.2010

G.O.Ms.No.71, Finance (Pay Cell) Rs.15600 -39100 + Rs.15600 -39100 + Rs.15600 -39100 + Rs.15600 -39100
Department, dated 26.02.2011 GP 5100 (PB3) GP 5400 (PB3) GP 6600 + GP 7600

G.O.Ms.No.242, Finance (Pay

Rs.9300 -34800 + Rs.15600 -39100 + Rs.15600 -39100 + Rs.15600 -39100
Cell) Department, dated
GP 5100 (PB2) GP 5400 (PB3) GP 6600 + GP 7600
22.07.2013

RELEGATION OF PAYSCALE FIXED FOR AGRICULTURAL GRADUATES

-CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS LEADING TO LEGAL REMEDY

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1. The Government of Tamil Nadu, pursuant to the Sixth Pay
Commission Report, constituted an Official Committee to
examine and make recommendations for the revision of pay
scales to the State Government employees.
2. The Committee submitted its report dated 27 May 2009 to the
Government.
3. The Government of Tamil Nadu accepted the recommendation
and issued an order vide G.O.Ms.No.234 dated 1 June 2009
revising the pay scale notionally with effect from 1 January 2006
and with monetary benefits from 1 January 2007.
4. The Government of Tamil Nadu constituted a One Man
Commission under the Chairmanship of Thiru. Rajeev
Ranjan, I.A.S., to rectify the pay anomalies which had arisen
on account of implementation of the revised pay scale.
5. The report dated 31 March 2010 submitted by the One Man
Commission, was accepted by the Government, and an
order was issued vide G.O.Ms.No.254 to 340, Finance (Pay Cell)
Department dated 26 August 2010. The pay scales were re-
fixed in accordance with the recommendation.
6. The Government of Tamil Nadu has favorably considered the
request and issued G.O.Ms.No.448, Finance (Pay Cell)
Department, dated 31.12.2010. for Agricultural officers, Assistant
Director of Agriculture, Deputy Director of Agriculture and Joint
Director of Agriculture with the pay Band of Rs.15600 -39100 +
GP 5400 (PB3) , Rs.15600 -39100 + GP 6600 (PB3) , Rs.15600 -39100
+ GP 7600 (PB3) and Rs.37400 -67000 + GP 8700 (PB4) respectively.
7. However, the Government downscaled the pay scale and
issued an order vide G.O.Ms.No.71 Finance Department dated
26 February 2011.

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 8. Consequently a writ petition was filed by the employees
challenging the order in G.O.Ms.No.71 Finance Department dated
26 February 2011.
9. The Writ Petitions were all dismissed by the learned Single Judge
by order dated 8 March 2012. The learned single Judge, while
dismissing the writ petitions, directed the State to constitute a
Pay Grievance Redressal Cell (PGRC). The common order dated 8
March 2012 on the file of the writ, court was challenged before
the Division Bench.
10. The Government, as per the order in G.O.Ms.No.123
dated 10 April 2012, constituted a Pay Grievance
Redressal Cell (PGRC) under the Chairmanship of
Thiru.Krishnan I.A.S. The report submitted by the PGRC was
accepted by the Government and issued an order vide
G.O.Ms.No.242 dated 22 July 2013 reducing the pay scales
drastically and refixed with an indication that the excess paid
would not be recovered. The pay Scale of Agricultural Officers
who were drawing Rs.15600-39100 + Grade Pay (GP) 5400 in the
pay Band-3 was brought down to pay Band-2 in the scale of
Rs.9300-34800 + Grade Pay 5100.

The writ petitions challenging the order in G.O.Ms.No.242

dated 22 July 2013 and the writ appeals filed against the order
dated 8 March 2012 were taken up together by the Division
Bench. The Division Bench appointed a former Judge of the High
Court as the Chairman of the Pay Grievance Redressal Cell. The
Division Bench directed the Government to keep in abeyance with
the implementation of the Government Orders relating to the
downward revision, more particularly, the orders in
G.O.Ms.Nos.71 and 242 dated 26 February 2011 and 22 July 2013
respectively, till a decision was taken by the Commission.

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 The common judgment dated 27 February 2014 passed by
the Division Bench was challenged by the State before the
Honourable Supreme Court. The Hon'ble Supreme Court granted
only a limited stay. The stay was only in relation to the direction
to constitute a new Pay Grievance Redressal Committee under the
Chairmanship of a former Judge of the High Court. The Civil
Appeals were pending at that time before the Honourable
Supreme Court without any stay in respect of the direction not to
act in accordance with the Government Order in G.O.Ms.No.71 and
242 and to pay the salary as per G.O.Ms.No.254 to 340, Finance
(Pay Cell) Department dated 26 August 2010.

Subsequently, the Government issued the Revised Pay Rules, 2017,

in G.O.Ms.No.303, Finance Department dated 11 October 2017 indicating
that separate orders will be issued in respect of those employees who are
before the Supreme Court.

The Government also issued an order in G.O.Ms.No.328

Finance Department dated 31 October 2017 indicating that it is
open to the employees to opt either to stay in the same pay as
per the judgment in the writ appeals or to migrate to the
corresponding revised pay structure as per the order in
G.O.Ms.No.242 Finance (PC)Department dated 22 July 2013,
whichever is advantageous to them financially. It was the said
order dated 31 October 2017, which was challenged in the writ
petitions, which ultimately resulted in filing these intra court
appeals.

The contentions of the State Government were that

i. The writ appeals in W.A.No.504/2012 etc. batch were allowed

only on the ground of violation of principles of natural justice.
ii. In case, the Special Leave Petitions are allowed, the State has
to recover more than Rs.1200 Crores from the employees.
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 iii. In case, the revised pay scale is given, it would be an
additional burden on the exchequer, as the State has to
pay a sum of Rs.260 Crores every year in excess of the
present pay to the concerned employees and pensioners.
iv. The respondents are claiming arrears of salary on the basis of
the Division Bench Judgment which would also cause
substantial financial burden on the exchequer.

The Associations contended that

i. The Agricultural Officers are drawing less pay than their Sub
ordinates.
ii. The Agricultural Officers are made to sign the pay bills of
juniors, giving them salary on the basis of higher scale which
was not given to them.

In the circumstances, the Hon’ble High court considered

that

i. Even though the related Civil Appeals were pending before the
Hon'ble Supreme Court, the request made by the State to stay
the operation of the entire directions given by the Division
Bench was not appropriate since the Supreme Court stayed
only the constitution of the Pay Grievance Redressal
Committee.
ii. The learned Single Judge considered the events that took
place after the judgment dated 27 February 2014 and allowed
the Writ Petitions.

The Hon’ble High Court directed the Advocate General to take

instruction from the Government as to whether as an interim measure, the
pay scale could be restored prospectively, pending disposal of the appeals
before the Supreme Court. The matter was adjourned on multiple
occasions to enable the learned Advocate General to take instruction and

6
make a statement. When the appeals were taken up for hearing on 16 July
2019, the learned Advocate General, on instructions from the Government,
submitted that it would not be possible to extend the benefits to the
employees even prospectively.

The Hon’ble High Court considered the following discussion

points:

i. The Association filed the Writ Petitions before the writ court
challenging the Government Order in G.O.Ms.No.328, Finance
(Pay Cell) Department, dated 31 October 2017 and for a
consequential direction to fix their scale in the pay structure at
the appropriate level, taking into account the earlier orders
and the judgment of the Division Bench dated 27 February
2014 in W.A.No.504 of 2012 batch etc.
ii. The learned Single Judge having found that there was no stay
granted by the Supreme Court in the appeals filed by the State
against the judgment dated 27 February 2014 in W.A.No.504
of 2012, negatived the contentions taken by the State and
allowed the Writ Petitions.
iii. The Association obtained orders from this Court for restoring
their pay scale in W.A.No.504 of 2012 etc. batch. There was a
specific direction issued by the Division Bench in
W.A.No.504 of 2012 that till a decision is taken by the
Committee, the Government Order in G.O.Ms.No.71 and
242 dated 26 February 2011 and 22 July 2013 shall not
be implemented. It is a matter of record that in the
related appeals filed by the State, the Hon'ble Supreme
Court was not inclined to grant absolute stay. The stay
is limited to the constitution of “Pay Grievance
Redressal Committee” under the Chairmanship of a
former Judge of this Court.

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 iv. The One Man Commission headed by a Senior Indian
Administrative Service Officer examined the question
regarding the pay anomaly and recommended
measures to rectify such anomalies. The Government
accepted the report without any reservation and fixed
the pay scales to the Agricultural Officers, Assistnat
Director of Agriculture, Deputy Director of Agriculture
and Joint Director of Agriculture. The orders were
passed on 26 August 2010 and payments were also
made in accordance with the revised pay scale.
v. The pay was downgraded later unilaterally by issuing an order
in G.O.Ms.No.71 Finance Department dated 26 February 2011.
The Government in the meantime appointed another Pay
Grievance Redressal Cell (PGRC) headed by Thiru.Krishnan,
I.A.S., the present Finance Secretary, as the Pay Grievance
Redressal Cell and based on his report, issued the order dated
G.O.Ms.No.242 dated 22 July 2013.
vi. The Government Orders in G.O.Ms.No.71 and 242 dated 26
February 2011 and 22 July 2013 respectively were ultimately
quashed by the Division Bench. The employees succeeded in
their effort to restore the pay scale given to them as per the
Government order No 448 dated 26 August 2010.
vii. the Hon'ble Supreme Court was not inclined to stay the
restoration of the pay scale.
viii. The learned senior counsels for the Association demonstrated
that the Sub ordinates were receiving more pay than the
Agricultural Officers on account of the orders which were
challenged before the writ court.
ix. The Associations are now claiming implementation of the order
impugned in the appeals, which is more in the nature of a

8
 consequential order pursuant to the judgment dated 27
February 2014 in W.A.No.504 of 2012 etc. batch.
x. The State is seeking an absolute stay of the order passed by
the learned Single Judge without any condition. The
respondents on the other hand are seeking implementation of
the restored pay scale retrospectively, meaning thereby
payment of arrears.
xi. The State is opposing the claim made by the respondents
primarily on the ground that the additional financial
commitment per year would be around Rs.260 crores. Even
according to the State, the Supreme Court agreed to take up
the Special Leave Petitions very shortly.

Based on the discussion, the Hon’ble High Court directed the

State

i. To implement the pay scale indicated in the

Government order No 448 dated 26 August 2010 with
consequential revisions and as per the order passed by
the learned single Judge prospectively and with a
specific condition that in case, the Special Leave
Petitions are ultimately allowed, the employees are
liable to refund the excess salary with interest.
ii. To implement the pay scale in accordance with the order
passed by the learned Single Judge with effect from the month
of July 2019.
iii. The question of payment of arrears should await the decision
of the Supreme Court in the related Special Leave Petitions.
iv. The above direction would also apply in the case of the
pensioners and their pension should be re-fixed, taking into
account the restoration of the pay scale.

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 v. The concerned employees, including the pensioners, shall give
an undertaking that in case the appeals are ultimately allowed
by the Supreme Court, they would refund the excess
salary/pension with interest.
vi. The order passed by the learned Single Judge shall remain
stayed till the disposal of the intra court appeals, subject to
the condition that the pay scale shall be implemented
prospectively with effect from 1 July 2019 both in the case of
present employees and the pensioners.

PAY DISPARITY WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS IN TAMILNADU

STATE GOVERNMENT SERVICE

The Tamil Nadu Government Agricultural Graduates Association is

striving hard for the last decade to get a decent pay Scale similar to other
professionals especially Civil Assistant Surgeons. Albeit the pay scales of
Agricultural Graduates were fixed on par with the Veterinary Officers of
Animal Husbandry Department by the previous pay commissions at entry
level, the plea to fix the pay scale on par with other entry level posts of
Tamil Nadu State Services vis-à-vis Assistant Surgeons, Assistant Medical
Officers (Siddha, Ayurvedha and Unani), Assistant Public Prosecutors
Grade II, Secretariat Section Officers was ignored every time by the Pay
committee constituted inspite the selection procedure for Agricultural
Graduates to Tamil Nadu State Service is similar to entry by other
professionals especially Civil Assistant Surgeons.

A comparative statement shows how the Agricultural

Graduates working in the different cadre posts in the Agriculture
department have always been discriminated at the time of
fixation of Pay Scale over the years

AGRICULTURAL OFFICER

Pay Commission Veterinary Assistant

Agricultural Assistant
Assistant Medical Officer-

10
 Asst. Civil
Officer Engineer Surgeon
Surgeon /Sidha

3rd Pay Commission 1160 1160 1160 1160

4th Pay Commission 2000-3500 2000-3500 2000-3500 2200-4000

5th Pay Commission 6500-200-

6500-200-11100 6500-200-11100 8000-275-13500
11100

6th Pay Commission 9300 - 9300 - 34800+ 9300 - 34800+ 15600 -

G.O.Ms.No.234 34800+ 4700 4700 4700 39100+5400

One man Commission

9300 - 15600 - 15600 -
G.O.Ms.No.257& Related -
34800+ 4900 39100+5400 39100+5400
G.Os

G.O.MS.No.448 for 15600 -

- - -
Agri & Related G.Os 39100+5400

G.O.MS.No.71 15600 - 15600 -

- -
39100+5100 39100+5100

G.O.MS.No.242 9300 - 9300 -

- -
34800+5100 34800+5100

G.O.MS.No.250 15600 -
- - -
39100+5200

7th Pay Commission 37700 -

37700 - 119500 55500 - 175700 56100 - 177500
equivalent to GO 242 119500

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE

Assistant
Assistant
Assistant Assistant Director of
Director of
Pay Commission Director of Executive Sidha
Animal
Agriculture Engineer Medicine
Husbandry
/Civil Surgeon
3rd Pay Commission 1340 1340 1340

4th Pay Commission 2200-4000 2200-4000 2200-4000

5th Pay Commission 8000-275- 8000-275-

8000-275-13500
13500 13500

6th G.O.Ms.No.234 15600 - 15600 - 15600 - 15600 -

39100+5400 39100+5400 39100+5400 39100+6600

One man Commission - 15600 - 15600 - -

11
& Related GOs. 39100+6600 39100+6600

G.O.MS.No.448 for 15600 -

- - -
Agri & Related G.Os 39100+6600

G.O.MS.No.71 15600 - 15600 - 15600 -

-
39100+5400 39100+5400 39100+5400

G.O.MS.No.242 15600 - 15600 - 15600 -

-
39100+5400 39100+5400 39100+5400

7th Pay Commission 56100 - 177500 56100 - 177500 56100 - 177500 59300 - 187700
equivalent to GO 242

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE

Deputy Deputy Director Deputy

Executive
Pay Commission Director of of Animal Director level
Engineer
Agriculture Husbandry Medicine

3rd Pay Commission 1560 1560 1560 -

4th Pay Commission 3000-4500 3000-4500 3000-4500 -

5th Pay Commission 10000-235-

10000-235-15200 10000-235-15200 -
15200

6th G.O.Ms.No.234 15600 -39100 15600 -39100 15600 -39100 15600 -

+6600 +6600 +6600 39100+7600

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE, Continued..

Deputy Deputy Director Deputy

Executive
Pay Commission Director of of Animal Director level
Engineer
Agriculture Husbandry of Medicine

One man Commission 15600 -39100 15600 -39100

- -
+7600 +7600
& Related GOs.
G.O.MS.No.448 for 15600 -39100
- - -
Agri & Related G.Os +7600

G.O.MS.No.71 15600 -39100 15600 -39100 15600 -39100

-
+6600 +6600 +6600

G.O.MS.No.242 15600 -39100 15600 -39100 15600 -39100

-
+6600 +6600 +6600

7th Pay Commission 59300-187700 59300-187700 59300-187700 61900-196700

equivalent to GO 242

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 JOINT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE

Joint Director of
Joint Director Superintending Joint Director
Pay Commission Animal
of Agriculture Engineer Level Medicine
Husbandry

3rd Pay Commission 1800 1800 1800 -

4th Pay Commission 3700-5000 3700-5000 3700-5000 -

5th Pay Commission 12000-375- 12000-375-

12000-375-16500 -
16500 16500

6th G.O.Ms.No.234 15600 -39100 15600 -39100 15600 -39100 37400-

+7600 +7600 +7600 67000+8700

One man Commission 15600 -39100 37400- 37400-

-
+7600 67000+8700 67000+8700
& Related GOs.
G.O.MS.No.448 for 37400-
- - -
Agri & Related G.Os 67000+8700

G.O.MS.No.71 15600 -39100 15600 -39100

- -
+7600 +7600

G.O.MS.No.242 15600 -39100 15600 -39100

- -
+7600 +7600

7th Pay Commission

equivalent to GO 242 61900-196700 123100-215900 61900-196700 123100-215900

IRRATIONAL PAY FIXATION BY THE SIXTH PAY COMMISSION

The Tamil Nadu Government Agricultural Association which always

believed in a chivalrous approach was in great expectation that the long
pending demand for Pay Parity would be appropriately addressed by the
Sixth Pay Committee. Unfortunately, the demand was not favourably
considered and accepted by the VI Pay Commission Official Committee.
The Official Committee 2009 granted the following pay scale for
Agricultural Professionals by just equating pay to Pay Scale Basis
and an order was issued vide Ms.No.234, Finance (PC)
Department, dated:01—06--2009

Sl. Category of Post Pay granted

No.

13
 1 Agricultural Officer 9300 – 34800 +GP 4700

2 Assistant Director of Agriculture 15600 - 39100 +GP 5400

3 Deputy Director of Agriculture 15600 - 39100 +GP 6600

4 Joint Director of Agriculture 15600 - 39100 +GP 7600

The Association was shocked and dismayed as the

Agricultural Graduates who are technical officers possessing a
professional degree were placed on par with Superintendents and
other non – technical staff who were not professionally qualified.
The relegation of pay scale left an indelible impact on the morale of the
Agricultural graduates as they were deprived of a deserving pay scale
inspite they were professionally well qualified, equally competent and
capable of doing uphill tasks vested with them. Smitten by this order, the
Association preferred to appeal to rectify the pay anomaly and restore
their eligible pay scale.

The Tamil Nadu Government Agricultural Graduates' Association

represented to the One Man Commission constituted by the Government
vide G.O. Ms. No. 444, Finance (Pay cell) Department, dated 09.09.2009 to
look into the grievances and rectification of pay anomalies highlighting
and comparing the pay scales of the following entry level posts in State
Service possessing professional qualification.

i. Assistant Civil Surgeons – having MBBS qualification;

ii. Assistant Medical Officers (Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani) - having

the minimum degree qualification in their respective field;

iii. Assistant Public Prosecutors Grade II – having BL qualification.

It is mentioned that the Agricultural Officer post similar to all the

above said posts is categorized under Tamil Nadu Agricultural Extension

14
Service of Tamil Nadu State Services, a Special Service enacted for the
Agricultural Professionals. However, the request of demand was not
favorably considered and accepted by the one man commission. The One
Man Commission recommended the following pay structure which was
accepted by the Government and order was issued vide Ms.No.257,
Finance (PC) Department,dated:26.8.2010.

Name of the Posts Scale of Pay sanctioned vide Revised

G.O.Ms.No.234, Finance (PC) Scale of Pay
Department,dated:01.06.200 + Grade pay
9
Agricultural Officer 9300 – 34800 + 4700 9300 – 34800
+ 4900

But, the Government of Tamil Nadu sanctioned the following Pay

Structure as per the long pending demand of the Association vide
G.O.Ms.No 448 , Finance (PC) Department, dated 31.12.2010.

Sl. No. Category of Post Pay granted

1 Agricultural Officer (A.O.) 15600-39100+GP 5400

2 Assistant Director of 15600-39100 +GP 6600

Agriculture(ADA)

3 Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA) 15600-39100 +GP 7600

4 Joint Director of Agriculture (JDA) 37400-67000 +GP 8700

Ironically, the Government vide order Ms.No.71, Finance

Department dated 26.2.2011 reduced the pay band of 52 cadres in
21 departments. With respect to the Agricultural Officer, Assistant
Director of Agriculture and Deputy Director of Agriculture, the pay
band of Rs.15600 – 39100 remained unchanged. But the Grade

15
pay was downgraded from Rs.5400/- to Rs.5100/-, Rs.6600 to
Rs.5400 & Rs.7600/- to Rs.6600 respectively. With respect to Joint
Director of Agriculture, the Pay band as well as the Grade pay
were downgraded from Rs.37400 – 67,000 + 8700/- (GP) to
Rs.15600 – 39100 + 7600/- (GP).

The downgrading of pay band was effected for 52 cadres in various

departments including Agriculture. But the Pay Grievance Redressal Cell
(PGRC) had revised the pay band of Block Development Officers,
Tahsildhar, Inspector of Police, Forest Rangers & General Foreman on a
higher scale with Special Pay also.

Piqued by this order, the Association preferred writ appeals and

the set of events thereon is as follows:

i. The Hon’ble High Court stayed the operation of the

G.O.Ms.No.71, Finance Department for the WP No. 6761 / 2011
filed by the Tamil Nadu Government Agricultural Graduates
Association.
ii. The Hon’ble High Court directed the Government to take a
decision on the grievances within four weeks and thereafter
the Pay Grievance Redressal Cell to hear the grievance of all
persons including the Writ Petitioners in response to the WP
No. 6761 of 2011 and the batch of writ petitions WP No.22471
of 2013 filed by one Mr.R.Silambarasan and 385 others and
WP No.1763 of 2014 filed by one Mrs.R.Hemavathi.
iii. The Tamil Nadu Government Agriculture Graduates
Association and other associations preferred Writ Appeals
before the Hon’ble Division Bench in WA No. 1733 of 2012 on
the ground of natural justice violation, challenging the order of
the Learned Single Judge, wherein the Learned Judge declined
to set aside the G.O.Ms.No.71, Finance Department.

16
 The Government issued G.O.Ms.No.123, Finance Department,
reconstituting the Pay Grievance Redressal Cell and representations from
several employees’ association, including The Tamil Nadu Government
Agriculture Graduates Association (TAGA) were made before the Pay
Grievance Redressal Cell for upward revision of pay band, as the fixation
of pay band and grade pay under G.O.71 had various anomalies.

The Pay Grievance Redressal Cell submitted its report to the

Government, wherein the pay band and grade pay was further reduced
with respect to the following cadre in Agriculture Department:

Sl. No. Category of Post Pay granted Rs.

1 Agricultural Officer (A.O.) 9300-34800+GP 5100

2 Assistant Director of Agriculture 15600-39100+GP 5400

(ADA)

3 Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA) 15600-39100 +GP

6600

4 Joint Director of Agriculture (JDA) 15600-39100 +GP

7600

The Government also issued order.Ms.No.242, Finance Department

accepting the recommendations of the Pay Grievance Redressal Cell.

iv. Aggrieved by the Government order, a WP No.22471 of 2013 was

filed by Mr.R.Silambarasan and 385 others belonging to the
Agriculture Department and WP No.1763 of 2014 was filed by
Mrs.R.Hemavathi. The Hon’ble Division Bench passed a common
order for WA No. 1733 of 2012, wherein the Government was
directed to constitute a Pay Grievance Redressal Committee, headed
by Hon'ble Mr.Justice A.S.Venkatachalamoorthy for taking a fresh
decision regarding the enhancement / reduction of pay scales /
grade pay of 52 or more categories. The Government was further

17
 directed not to implement G.O.Ms.No.71 and 242 as it affects any
category of Government Servants / pensioners/family pensioners, till
fresh decision is taken.
v. The Government preferred a batch of appeals before the
Hon’ble Supreme Court, which culminated into the order of
the Hon’ble Apex Court dated 28.11.2019 constituting the
present committee. In the meantime, the Hon’ble High Court
of Madras vide order dated: 23.07.2019 in response to the
WA Nos. 2109 to 2150 of 2018 and CMP. Nos. 16539 to 16621
of 2018. had directed that the 7 th pay benefits be granted to
Agricultural Officers from the existing higher pay, subject to
the outcome of the batch of appeals before the Hon’ble Apex
Court.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE RELEGATION OF PAY SCALE

1. The Agricultural officers possessing a Professional degree similar to

that of other professional graduates were relegated to a lower Pay
Scale.
2. While Downgrading the pay due to G.O Ms.No.242, Finance
Department dated 22.7.2013. The Agricultural Officers had to bear a
loss of Rs.6300/- in the Pay and Rs.300/- in the Grade Pay impacting
the standard of Living on a long term
3. While Migration to 7th Pay Commission, The Agricultural
Graduates had to bear a loss of Rs.18,400/, Rs.3,200/-,
Rs.2,600 and Rs.61,200/- in the Basic Pay of Agricultural
Officers, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Deputy Director of

18
 Agriculture and Joint Director of Agriculture respectively due
to the G.O Ms.No.71, Finance Department dated 26.2.2011
and G.O Ms.No.242, Finance Department dated 22.7.2013.

4. The Pay fixation over the years was inconsistent as the Pay scale
was frequently revised which was a ground of violation of principles
of natural justice.

Pay Commission / Pay Scale Sanctioned by the

Government Order State Government
Official Committee 2009
(G.O.Ms.No.234, Finance (PC) 9300 – 34800 + 4700
Department,dated:01.06.2009

One man Commission (G.O.Ms.No.257,

Finance (PC) Department, 9300 – 34800 + 4900
dated:26.8.2010)
Pay Commission / Pay Scale Sanctioned by the
Government Order State Government
G.O.Ms.No 448 , Finance (PC)
15600 - 39100 + GP 5400
Department,dated 31.12.2010
G.O Ms.No.71, Finance Department
15600 - 39100 + GP 5100 (PB3)
dated 26.2.2011
G.O Ms.No.242, Finance Department
9300 - 34800 + GP 5100 (PB2)
dated 22.7.2013.

5. The frequent changes in Pay fixation resulted in monetary loss

affecting the incumbent officers.
6. The new entrants to the Agriculture Extension Service were paid less
in the feeder post compared to the previously recruited Agricultural
Graduates.

19
 7. As per G.O.Ms.No. 303, Finance (PC) Department,
dated:11.10.2017, the Pay Matrix comprises of two
dimensions viz. horizontal range and vertical range:
a. In the ‘Horizontal Range’, level corresponds to a functional role
in the hierarchy and has been assigned level numbers 1, 2, 3
and so on, till 32. The level numbers correspond to Grade Pays
in the existing system. Movement from one level to a higher
level would take place due to movement to a higher functional
role, including that due to promotion.
b. In the ‘Vertical Range’, each step denotes ‘pay progression’
within that level, and indicates the steps of annual financial
progression of three percent in each level, corresponding to
one increment. Movement along vertical range arises due to
sanction of annual increment or grant of Selection
Grade/Special Grade / stagnation / bonus increment.

But it is dismaying to note that the Pay Scale for Agricultural

Graduates is on descending side instead of a prospective
increase.

8. Normally, pay is fixed based on Cost of Living, qualification of the

Government Servant, Technical Competency, Health, Education etc.,
and this should be an upward revision of Salaries. But it is shocking
to note that the Pay Scale for Agricultural Graduates is being
downgraded without proper justification.
9. The Pay Committee is constituted once in 10 years due to which
there is a hiatus in the pay revision inspite the influencing factors for
a standard livelihood is increasing exponentially. In the
circumstances, the reversal of Pay salary frequently has a deep
impact on the livelihood.
10. It is disappointing to note that the Pay scale which should
witness a steady increase in every Pay Commission has been

20
 downgraded within a period of 4 years during the 6 th pay
commission period. This shows that there is a gaping in the
yardsticks considered for pay calculation affecting the prospects of
professionally qualified Agricultural Gradates besides a stark
discrimination among the professionals.
11. The pay fixed for the Agricultural Graduates and the other
professionals like Veterinary Surgeons, Civil Assistant Surgeons etc.,
is highly lopsided creating a imbalanced growth in terms of a
prospective career among the Agricultural Graduates.

JUSTIFICATION FOR A REVISED PAY SCALE FOR THE AGRICULTURE

TECHNOCRATS

WHY DO WE DESERVE A PAY SCALE EQUIVALENT TO OTHER

PROFESSIONALS

1. PROFESSIONAL DEGREE
i. Firstly, the degree B.Sc. (Agriculture) essential for
appearing in the recruitment of Agricultural Officers
has been recognized as a professional course by the
Indian Council of Agriculture Research. (Copy of the
Document attached).
ii. Selected through common entrance examination of
similar nature, wherein only the cream of students
enters professional colleges like Agriculture, Medicine,
and Veterinary.
iii. Similar to internship programme for Medical and Veterinary
students, Agriculture students also undergo “learn while

21
 doing i.e., Rural Agriculture Working Experience
(RAWE)” during their curriculum with 3 Months period.

2. RECRUITMENT
i. The feeder post, promotional post and the pay scales earlier
were identical with the other professionals.
ii. It is pointed out that the educational qualification and
recruitment rules are also identical.
iii. The Professional Agricultural Graduates are selected under
Special Technical Service of Tamil Nadu Agricultural Extension
Service, Government of Tamil Nadu.
iv. The professional graduates of the 3 streams are
recruited only through Tamil Nadu Public Service
Commission (TNPSC) by similar type of competitive
exams and they all belong to Tamil Nadu State Service.

3. FIXATION OF PAY
i. The pay scales of Agricultural Graduates and their counterpart
in the Technical Department of Animal Husbandry viz.,
Veterinary Surgeons were fixed on par, by the previous pay
commissions at entry level but placed Civil Assistant Surgeons
on a higher scale of pay. But the level of placement was
downgraded later and placed even below the Veterinary
Surgeons.

4. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY
i. Out of 2226 officers now working under Tamil Nadu
Agricultural Extension Service 1310 officers possess B.Sc (Agri)
degree, 895 officers hold M.Sc (Agri) degree and 21 officers
hold Doctorate degree in Agriculture.

22
 ii. Agriculture Graduates possessing a degree in Agriculture
(B.Sc.(Ag) ) have a roundabout knowledge on Agriculture,
Horticulture, Seed Certification, Agriculture Marketing and Agri
Business, Agricultural Engineering, Animal Husbandry and a
technical competency in sorting out field level issues and
recommending location specific technologies. the motive in
pursuing this profession was to effectively serve the farming
community and aid them to achieve Social and economic
upliftment, by imparting the technical knowledge gained
through the professional course B.Sc.Agriculture/ M.Sc.
(Agriculture) /PhD., (Agriculture).

5. ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL GRADUATES

The inevitable role of Agricultural Graduates in ensuring food &

Nutritional security and economy building are narrated hereunder.

i. Agricultural Graduates feed the millions and also ensure that the
feed is nutritionally adequate.
ii. The important aspects include packaging of location
specific technologies, testing proven technologies in the
farmers’ field and training of farmers for its adoption with
efficient management of available natural resources.
iii. The adoption of integrated farming involving crops, live stock,
poultry, horticulture along with efficient natural resources
management and use of modern technologies brings a
sustainable farming with quick and rapid farm income and ensure
food and nutritional security at household. This has been made
possible by the tireless efforts of Agricultural Graduates. The
Agricultural Graduates / Plant Doctors are the backbone of
food security of the Nation in general and state in
particular.

23
 iv. As a Plant Doctor, the Agricultural Graduates diagnose
symptomatically and clinically, the pest and diseases
affecting crop plants and trees, prescribe treatment
measures available in plant pharmacopeia’s and suggest
remedial measures to overcome the malady, find solutions
for problematic soil and water, identify deficiency, pest and
disease in plants and treat them, workout nutritional requirement
of various crops and prescribe them to the farmers.
v. As a Quality Seed Manager, Agricultural Graduates make
field inspection, seed lot inspection, seed processing, seed testing
and production of certified and foundation seeds both in
Government, Quasi Government and Private sector since quality
seed is the prime base of crop production. Besides, Agricultural
Officer in seed inspection wing inspect periodically seed outlets
and draw samples for quality analysis to ensure the availability of
quality seeds.
vi. Agricultural Graduates, as a planner of implementing many
state and central sector schemes foresee eventualities, make
room for contingencies, chalk out field activities and prepare an
orderly sequence of cultivation for achieving objectives.
vii. Agricultural Officer plans for agricultural production in an area,
chart out annual work plan for implementing various schemes,
imparts and checks works at various stages and levels, guides
farmers and manufacturers at his district acts as an effective
administrator.
viii. Agricultural Graduates have to work against heavy odds, collect,
relevant data, analyse the available data and interpret before
extending field level recommendations in association with
scientists from the trials and demonstrations conducted by them.
ix. As an organizer, he enthuse the leading farmers and people
leaders to attend campaigns, seminars and field days enquiries

24
 and field visit. As liaison officers and opinion builders, conduct
the farmer’s grievances day at Collectorates, receives
grievances of farmer’s problems connected to multi-
various departments and agencies, process forward and
redress their grievances. This enhances the positive faith of
farmers on Agricultural Officers / Plant Doctors.
x. The domain knowledge of the Agricultural Professionals in
Agriculture, Horticulture, Seed Certification, Agriculture Marketing
and Agri Business, Agricultural Engineering, Animal Husbandry
and their technical competency ensures the officers to
have inter departmental co-ordination with Revenue
Department, Rural Development Department, Statistical
Department, Animal husbandry Department, Department
of Sugars and other Sister Departments of Agriculture.

Odd nature of work, Mental and physical requirement and Fatigue

involved:

As an extension worker, Agricultural graduate has to

i. Change the mindset of farmers who are conservatives in their

mindset, resist or neglect any change.

ii. Frequently Visit the field or residence of the end users, the
farmer, to meet them at field or village and at work, while in
all other departments the consumers viz., the public go to the
offices of the concerned department.

iii. Convince farmers which would take many visits, many days to
introduce a new technology or schemes.

iv. Work outdoors, have no prescribed working hours, necessarily

has to go to farmers field only during early morning, evening
or late night.

25
 v. Make all out efforts with limited success due to interaction of
natural factors like flood, drought, and other unexpected
sudden epidemic occurrence of pest and disease.

vi. Possess professional skill and judgment which must be right to

produce right results. Otherwise runs out the risk of incurring
wrath of the farmers if matters go wrong for reasons beyond
his control.

vii. Face physical hardship inherent in the field works, tiring long
walk in the villages and fields, with long hours in scratching
summer sun or torrential rain during monsoon.

viii. Face inevitable danger of snake bite or insect bites, allergens

during field visits and extended hours of duty during flood and
drought.

ix. Face lack of quality education facilities for their wards, as

many of them are posted in villages.

6. PLACEMENT OF WORK
i. The Professional officers are placed in Block, District and State
level at various cadre as Agriculture Officers, Assistant
Director of Agriculture, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Joint
Director of Agriculture in various departments viz.,
Department of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural
Marketing and Agri Business, Department of Seed
Certification and Organic Certification, Tamil Nadu
Watershed Development Agency, Tamil Nadu State
Agricultual Marketing Board and Department of Sugars.
ii. The Agriculture technocrats have a wide array of experience
with extensive knowledge on Agronomic practices, input
management, Seed Production & Distribution, Climate resilient
system, Quality control of Seeds & Fertilizers, Irrigation

26
 technology & Management, Plant Protection Measures, Post
harvest technology, Value Addition, Marketing etc as they are
posted in various departments.

7. PAY SCALE IN OTHER STATES

The committee may take cognizance of the Pay Scale fixed for the
equivalent posts in other states. It is noteworthy to mention that the
Agricultural Officers have been sanctioned with a reasonable Pay
structure.

SL GRADE
STATE NAME OF THE POST BASIC PAY REMARKS
NO PAY

1 B.Sc
Assam Agricultural Officer 30000 - 110000 12700
(Agriculture)

3 B.Sc
Rajasthan Agricultural Officer 15600-39100 5400
(Agriculture)

4 Andhra B.Sc
Agricultural Officer 16150 - 42250 5400
Pradesh (Agriculture)

5 B.Sc
Telangana Agricultural Officer 16150 - 42250 5400
(Agriculture)

6 B.Sc
Punjab Agricultural Officer 15600-39100 5400
(Agriculture)

PLEA FOR A RATIONAL PAY SCALE FOR THE FEEDER &

PROMOTIONAL POSTS OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT

As far as Agriculture department is concerned, the feeder category

is the Agricultural Officer Post and the Promotional Posts are Assistant

27
Director of Agriculture, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Joint Director of
Agriculture and Additional Director of Agriculture.

FEEDER CATEGORY

AGRICULTURAL OFFICER

Agricultural officer is the entry level post in the Agriculture

department of Tamil Nadu. He / She is in-charge of a block and in
few instances 2 to 3 blocks. He is generally assisted by 5 to 8
Assistant Agricultural Officers, one Assistant Seed Officer and
Depot Managers in carrying out the works entrusted to him.
The job is purely technical in nature and cannot be compared to
other Ministerial and Administrative posts in the State. They are
field level officer and they meet the farmers in their fields to
disseminate the technology.

The duties and responsibilities vested with the entry level

Agricultural Officers are detailed below:

1. Increase the crop area under major crops like paddy, millets,
pulses, oilseeds, cotton and sugarcane in spite of threats such as
urbanization, industrialization, scarcity of water etc. The increase
in crop productivity is evident from the position held by Tamil
Nadu at All India level.

2. Disseminate the innovative agro-technologies among

farming community to increase the production and productivity.

3. Promote equitable growth in agriculture and strengthen food

security of the State.
28
4. Identification of pests and diseases and recommending
suitable plant protection measures to cure the same to avoid
yield loss.

5. Distribution of inputs such as seeds, plant protection

chemicals, bio-pesticides, bio-fertilizer, to increase the production
and productivity.

6. Stocking of sufficient inputs to meet the demands of farmers

during peak season.

7. Increase agricultural production through the implementation

of schemes such as Agricultural Technology Management Agency
(ATMA), promoting profitable marketing opportunities, micro
irrigation, irrigated agricultural modernization and water bodies
restoration management. (IAMWARM).

8. Converting wastelands into developed lands including

cluster developments aiming to bring vast tract of wasteland into
cultivation and prosperity to agricultural labourers.

9. Promoting group approach to extension and empowerment of

farmers by involving farmers in setting extension agenda,
implementation of programmes through farmers user groups,
contractual arrangement and acquisition of skills.

10. Promoting contract farming, group farming and public

private partnership in agricultural development programmes.

11. Formation of farmers interest groups, encouraging farm

women in agri-business and extension so as to replace the
top down approach with bottom up approach at village level in
planning and implementation of agricultural development
activities.

29
12. Demonstrating precision farming to increase the farm hold
income. Identification of beneficiaries for Micro Irrigation a major
scheme with due thrust. Identification, scrutiny, sanction,
execution and settlement including documentation.

13. Promotion of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) among

the farming community wherein high yield of paddy with less
amount of water is advocated so as to increase the productivity
and production.

14. Promotion of organic farming, distribution of organic

inputs, balanced use of organic fertilizer leading to reduced
intake of chemical fertilizers and ensuring soil health.

15. Conducting soil survey, preparation of soil resources

inventory, distribution of soil health cards to 80 lakh farm
holding to enable them to apply need based macro and
micronutrients based on the soil fertility and also to ensure soil
health.

16. Training the farmers on various innovative technologies so

as to equip the farmers by all means to achieve increased
production and productivity.

17. For dry land development, identification, organizing farmers

groups, capacity building, fund sanction, implementation,
documentation and record keeping

18. Onus of bringing more commodities to Uzhavar Sandhais and

to ensure a better price for the produce brought by the farmers.

19. Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana under

which the loanee and non-loanee farmers are enrolled in a big
way. The Agro Technocrats / Plant Doctors are involved in
enrolment of farmers, motivating them, creating more and more

30
 awareness, conduct of CCE, getting yield data to Insurance
companies, monitoring settlement of claims.

20. Implementation of special packages like Kuruvai, Samba,

Pulses in a time bound manner by mobilizing all men and
material.

21. Supportive works to Revenue, Statistics and Veterinary

departments in collection of data and compilation either for
cultivation area reconciliation, Yield data compilation and in Dry
land development, ATMA and in Other community oriented
schemes like water shed development etc.,

22. Agricultural Officer is Doing Crop Estimation Survey in

randomly selected farmers field for assessment of Yield for
determining production/Productivity of Crop at National Level
coordinated with Revenue and Statistical Department.

23. Restoration of livelihood of small and marginal farmers

through diversified arming systems, comprising crop and
livestock and agricultural processing.

24. Agricultural Officer is the Revenue Divisional level

officer in the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri
Business steering the farmers and field level functionaries to
practice collective farming and collective marketing of quality
agricultural produce and post harvest management at Revenue
division level.

25. Agricultural Officer is the administrative officer in the

Farmers Market (Uzhavar Sandhai) coordinating the
marketing activities in jurisdictional area of about 3 to 5 blocks
for Horticultural crops like fruits and vegetables.

26. Agricultural Officer is the Fertilizer Inspector notified by

the authority for strictly enforcing the provisions of the Fertilizer
Control Order (FCO), 1985 enacted under The Essential

31
 Commodities Act, 1955 and the Insecticide Act 1968 and
Insecticide Rules, 1971 respectively.

27. Agricultural Officer is the Technical Unit Officer for

Fertilizer Testing Laboratories, Pesticide Testing Laboratories, Soil
Testing Laboratories, Bio fertilizer production Laboratories, Bio
Control Laboratories, Micro Nutrient Production Centre, Seed
Processing Units and Integrated Pest Management Centers.

28. Agricultural Officer is the Block pest and disease

surveillance officer and forewarns pest and diseases outbreak
in the Block.

29. Agricultural Officer is the Unit officer for managing the

activities of Agricultural Extension Centre and Sub Agricultural
Extension Centres in the Block level. for distribution of Quality
Inputs such as Seed, Fertilizers, Bio inoculants to farmers.

30. Agricultural Officer is the Seed Certification Officer and

Seed Inspector ensures the Quality of Seeds to farming
community and regulates the procurement and selling of seeds
through enforcement of various seed legislations viz., The Seeds
Act 1966, The Seeds Rules 1968, The Seeds (Control) Order 1983
and The Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and is instrumental in
maintaining the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards
(IMSCS) and organic certification Process at Block level covering 3
- 5 blocks.

31. Agricultural Officer is the Technical officer in the

AGMARK laboratories for AGMARK quality certification mark on
agricultural products by legally enforcing the Agricultural
Produce (Grading and Marking) Act of 1937 (and amended in
1986) by Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Government of
India.

32
 32. Agricultural Officer is the Liaison officer & Block
Coordinating officer for Department of Sugar, Department of
Horticulture, Department of Rural Development, Department of
Revenue Administration during Natural Calamities and Disaster
Management Activities.

33. Agricultural Officer is the Supervising Officer

responsible for monitoring the Fixed schedule of visit for
agriculture extension functionaries at village level so as to
have a direct interface with the individual farmers, farmer
clusters and commodity groups in the villages.

34. Agricultural Officer is the Public Relation Officer for

forecasting pest and disease out breaks, creating awareness on
safe use of Pesticides to farming community in the Blocks.

35. Agricultural Officer is the Manager of State Seed Farms

(with a jurisdiction of 1 - 2 Seed Farms per District) for production
of quality seeds & planting materials and distribution of New
Varietal seeds to the farming community.

36. Agricultural Officer is the Research officer at Block level

responsible for conducting Adaptive research Trials, Multi
Location trials and other Varietal Research lay outs..

The Professionally qualified Agricultural Officers in the Agriculture

and sister departments of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Extension
Service shall be fixed a rational Pay as they play a major role in uplifting
the economic status of farmers and instrumental in accelerating an
inclusive economic growth by paving way for an increased Production &
Productivity through dissemination of technical messages from “Lab to
Land”. The pay shall be commensurate to the duties and
responsibilities at various levels.

33
 The existing & requested pay structure for Agricultural
Officer are given in the following table:

Pay Band Pay band Pay band

fixed as per fixed as per fixed as per
G.O.Ms.No G.O G.O Pay
448 , Finance Ms.No.71, Ms.No.242, Structure
Category
(PC) Finance Finance requeste
Department, Department Department d
dated dated dated
31.12.2010 26.2.2011 22.7.2013
Agricultura 15600-39100+ 15600-39100+ 9300-34800+ 15600 -
l Officer 39100 +
GP 5400 GP 5100 GP 5100
GP 5400

The Tamil Nadu Government Agricultural Graduates'

Association (TAGA) prays the committee to restore the Pay
Structure of 15600 - 39100 + GP 5400 for Agricultural Officer
which was at first sanctioned by the Government of Tamil Nadu
vide G.O.Ms.No 448, Finance (PC) Department, dated 31.12.2010.
It is requested that the Committee has kindly consider the yeoman service
rendered by the technocrats to the farming community and their role in
successful implementation of multitude of agricultural schemes and kind
enough to recommend the pay scale as requested by the TAGA.

PROMOTIONAL POSTS

34
 I. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE

The role & responsibilities of Assistant Director of Agriculture are

as follows:

1. Acts as Technical and Administrative officer for Central and

State Level welfare schemes at Block level.
2. Officiates as Assistant General Manager for Tamil Nadu
Seed Development Agency and coordinates all the procurement
related works viz., training the growers for seed farm organization of
various crops, registration of sowing reports, facilitating the field
inspection by Seed Certification Officers, maintaining field sanitation,
complying the requirements of a good seed farm as per the provisions
of the seed act, obtaining Processing Report, attending to the
processing of seeds at the designated seed processing units, making
payment to the seed growers, taking possession of the certified seeds
after tagging, coordinates the activities of Procurement and Selling
of Quality Seeds for the Entire Block.
3. Block Level Officer for implementation of Mission on
Sustainable Dryland Agriculture (MSDA)
4. Block Level Nodal Officer for implementation of Food Grain
Mission
5. Assistant General Manager for Agriculture Technology
Management Agency in the District..
6. As Quality Control officer at District Level, the Assistant
Director of Agriculture is the enforcing authority of the provisions
of the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985 enacted under The
Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and the Insecticide Act 1968
and Insecticide Rules, 1971 respectively.
7. Assistant Director of Agriculture officiates as Regional Level
officer in the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri
Business.

35
8. Acts as Market Committee Secretary in the Regulated
Markets covering 1 - 2 district and ensures minimum support
price to farming community by adopting the provisions of Tamil
Nadu Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act 1987, Rules
1991.
9. Acts as Assistant Director of Seed Certification at District
Level in the Department of Seed Certification and Organic
Certification by ensuring Quality of Seeds to farming community
and regulating the procurement and selling of seeds through
enforcement of various seed legislations viz., The Seeds Act
1966, The Seeds Rules 1968, The Seeds (Control) Order 1983 and
The Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and maintaining the
Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards (IMSCS).
10. Officer in charge for the District to ensure organic
certification products of Agricultural Commodities in Tamil
Nadu.
11. Member in Block level Bankers Committee.
12. Co-ordinating officer for Department of Sugar and Sugar
Mills concentrating on Sugar production and farmers welfare,
Department of Horticulture for Horticulture development
activities, Department of Rural Development for rural
development activities , Department of Revenue Administration
during Natural Calamities and Disaster Management Activities.
13. Coordinating and implementing officer for Crop Insurance
Scheme, Farmers Pension Scheme and All other farmer Welfare
Schemes in the District.
14. Monitoring officer for Fertilizer Testing Laboratories,
Pesticide Testing Laboratories, Soil Testing Laboratories,
Agricultural Extension Centres and Sub Agricultural Extension
Centres at Block level.

36
 As the post of Assistant Director of Agriculture is highly
versatile in nature involving activities like Supervision, Co-
coordination, Quality Enforcement and Farmer Welfare Centric at block
and District level, it is imperative that their pay Scales are rationally
fixed in commensuration to the responsibilities vested with them.

The existing & requested pay structure for Assistant Director

of Agriculture are given in the following table:

Pay Band Pay band Pay band

fixed as per fixed as per fixed as per
G.O.Ms.No G.O G.O Pay
448 , Finance Ms.No.71, Ms.No.242, Structure
Category
(PC) Finance Finance requeste
Department, Department Department d
dated dated dated
31.12.2010 26.2.2011 22.7.2013
Assistant 15600-39100 15600-39100 15600- 15600-
Director of +GP 6600 +GP 5400 39100+GP 5400 39100
Agricultur +GP
e (ADA) 6600

Hence the Tamil Nadu Government Agricultural Graduates'

Association prays the committee to restore the Pay Structure
of 15600 - 39100 + GP 6600 for Assistant Director of
Agriculture which was at first sanctioned by the Government of
Tamil Nadu vide G.O.Ms.No 448, Finance (PC) Department,
dated 31.12.2010.

II. DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE

The role & responsibilities of Deputy Director of Agriculture are as

follows:

37
1. Authority to implement the Central & State Farmer Welfare
Schemes at district level.
2. The Deputy Director of Agriculture, TANSEDA is responsible for
the effective and efficient functioning of the State Seed Farms,
Seed Processing units, Seed Storage godowns for supporting the
activities related to production of quality seed materials.
3. SEED QUALITY CONTROL ACTIVITIES - Notified Seed Inspector
(inspecting dealer selling points, drawing samples, initiating legal
action) & District level Licensing Authority

4. FERTILIZER QUALITY CONTROL

 Notified Authority for acceptance of memorandum of
intimation and issuing letter for authorization and renewal
to manufacturers, importers of straight, complex fertilizers,
straight micro nutrients, biofertilizers (liquid and solid),
organic fertilizers, Micro Nutrient Mixtures, any other grade
of notified fertilizers coming from other States.
 Appellate Authority to redress the grievances of
manufacturers / sellers of fertilizers on appeal.
 Recommends subsidy to manufacturers.
5. INSECTICIDE QUALITY CONTROL - Licensing Authority to
manufacture insecticides or to sell in wholesale points for whole
of the State of Tamil Nadu in addition to carrying out inspection/
drawing samples in their respective jurisdiction.
6. The Deputy Director of Agriculture, is responsible for implementation &
monitoring of the Pradhan Mantri fasal Bima Yojana at district level,
conduct regular meeting with insurance company, lead bank officer,
District Development Manager of NABARD, officers of rural financial
institutions, to ensure maximum coverage, proper publicity &
awareness programmes for effective implementation of the schemes,
send fortnightly report to HOD, provide fortnightly crop condition

38
 reports & periodical reports on seasonal weather conditions, loans
disbursed, extent of area cultivated to concerned insurance company,
provide necessary assistance to district level joint committee for
assessment of loss for localized calamities & post harvest losses at
farm level & mid season adversity, verify atleast 30% of the
beneficiaries and report to the HOD, regularly check with the lending
banks/RFIs regarding maintenance of records of proposal forms and
other relevant documents.
7. Head of District Watershed Development Agency,
Officiates as Deputy General Manager for Tamil Nadu Seed
Development Agency, Deputy Project Director Agriculture
Technology Management Agency in the District.
8. Deputy Director of Agriculture is the Head of Farmers
Training Centre established across the state for imparting
technical training to farming community at Regional level.
9. Deputy Director of Agriculture is the District Level officer
for coordinating the activities of Market committees and
Regulated Markets which ensures minimum support price to
farming community by adopting the provisions of Tamil Nadu
Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act 1987, Rules
1991.
10. Deputy Director of Agriculture is the Officer in charge in
the State for AGMARK quality certification mark on
agricultural products by legally enforcing by the Agricultural
Produce (Grading and Marking) Act of 1937 (and amended in
1986) by Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Government of
India.
11. Deputy Director of Agriculture is the Regional level Officer
(2 Districts) for Seed Inspection regulating the procurement
and selling of seeds through enforcement of various seed
legislations viz., The Seeds Act 1966, The Seeds Rules 1968, The

39
 Seeds (Control) Order 1983 and The Environment (Protection) Act
1986 and maintaining the Indian Minimum Seed Certification
Standards (IMSCS)
The Deputy Directors of Agriculture who are the second level
officers in the district and also District head officers in the Sister
departments are responsible for bringing agrarian reforms in the district
by acting as a co-ordinating & Supervisory officer. They play a pivotal role
in formulation of district specific plans & strategies in coordination with the
block Assistant Directors of Agriculture.
The existing & requested pay structure for Deputy Director
of Agriculture are given in the following table:
Pay Band fixed
Pay band fixed Pay band fixed
as per
as per G.O as per G.O
G.O.Ms.No
Ms.No.71, Ms.No.242, Pay
448 , Finance
Category Finance Finance Structure
(PC)
Department Department requested
Department,
dated dated
dated
26.2.2011 22.7.2013
31.12.2010
Deputy 15600-39100 +GP 15600-39100 15600-39100 15600-
Director of 7600 +GP 6600 +GP 6600 39100
Agriculture +GP 7600
(DDA)

The Tamil Nadu Government Agricultural Graduates'

Association prays the committee to restore the Pay Structure
of 15600 - 39100 + GP 7600 for Deputy Director of Agriculture
which was at first sanctioned by the Government of Tamil Nadu
vide G.O.Ms.No 448, Finance (PC) Department, dated
31.12.2010.
III. JOINT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE:

The role & responsibilities of Joint Director of Agriculture are as

follows:

40
1. The Joint Director of Agriculture is the District head and
responsible for all Agriculture Activities in the District.
2. Monitoring officer for all agricultural activities taking place
through the Department of Agriculture, Seed Certification and
Organic Certification, Agricultural Marketing and Agribusiness,
Agricultural Engineering and Horticulture.
3. Project Officer for District Watershed Development Agency
4. Officiates as General Manager for Tamil Nadu Seed
Development Agency, Project Director Agriculture Technology
Management Agency in the District and Nodal officer for Food
grain Mission.
5. Joint Director of Agriculture is also appointed as the State Level
Head in the Department of Agriculture (State Schemes),
Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business and Department of Seed
Certification and Organic Certification.
6. Joint Director of Agriculture (Seed Inspection) is the Notified
Seed Inspector & State Level Licensing Authority ensuring
Quality of Seeds to farming community and regulating the
procurement and selling of seeds through enforcement of various
seed legislations viz., The Seeds Act 1966, The Seeds Rules 1968,
The Seeds (Control) Order 1983 and The Environment (Protection)
Act 1986 and maintaining the Indian Minimum Seed Certification
Standards (IMSCS).
7. Joint Director of Agriculture is the Registering Authority for the
purpose of issuing certificate for manufacture of Nitrogen,
Phosphate, Potassium Mixtures (physical or granulated), Micro
Nutrient Mixtures, Special Mixtures, Organic Fertilizers, Bio-
fertilizers within their respective jurisdiction.
8. Joint Director of Agriculture is the authority to issue
license to stock or exhibit for sale or distribute any insecticides
or to undertake commercial pest control operations in retail

41
 points in addition to Insecticide Inspectors at their respective
jurisdiction.
9. Joint Director of Agriculture is the enforcing and
Appellate authority for strictly enforcing the provisions of the
Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985 enacted under The Essential
Commodities Act, 1955 and the Insecticide Act 1968 and
Insecticide Rules, 1971 respectively.
10. Joint Director of Agriculture is also the officer in the state
ensuring organic certification products of Agricultural
Commodities in Tamil Nadu.
11. The Joint Director of Agriculture is the State Level
officer for Co-ordinating the activities of Market
committees and Regulated Markets which ensures minimum
support price to farming community by adopting the provisions
of Tamil Nadu Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act
1987, Rules 1991.
12. The Joint Director of Agriculture is the Officer in charge
at state level for AGMARK quality certification mark on
agricultural products through legal enforcement of the
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act of 1937 (and
amended in 1986) by Directorate of Marketing and Inspection,
Government of India.
13. The Joint Director of Agriculture is the Member
Secretary for Agricultural Production Council and also
Agriculture Grievance Committee in the District Level.
14. The Joint Director is the Sugar officer in the State and
Coordinating officer for Department of Sugar, Department of
Horticulture, Department of Rural Development, Department of
Revenue Administration during Natural Calamities and Disaster
Management Activities.

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 15. The Joint Director is the Nodal officer for implementation
of Crop Insurance Scheme in the district.

However in spite of the importance and ingenious role played

by the Joint Director of Agriculture in the district and at State
level, the Pay Grievance Redressal Cell hitherto formed by the
State Government recommended for reduction of Pay Scale from
37400 - 67000 + GP 8700 to 15600 - 39100 + GP 7600 which was
unfortunate and unjustified.

The Association was disappointed as the Pay Scale of the

Superintendenting Engineers working in the Public Works
department who were equivalent to Joint Directors of Agriculture
was kept intact while that of the Joint Directors of Agriculture was
downgraded. This differential treatment has caused apathy
among the Agricultural Graduates since they were equally
competent to hold the pay Scale.

At this juncture, the Association wants to reiterate that among

other things listed under the roles & responsibilities, the Joint
Director of Agriculture is responsible for an Agricultural area
which is incomparable to the area jurisdiction based on which the
pay scale is fixed. To put it straight, the net cultivable area of
Tamil Nadu is 36% of the total Geographical area and the work
load of the Agriculture officials is extended to atleast 36% of the
total area of the state and further 60% of the 36% area comes

43
 again for cultivation twice or thrice in an year which adds to the
burden of the Agriculture Officers as they have to engage
themselves in technology dissemination throughout the year. In
the circumstances, adoption of Area Jurisdiction as a parameter to
calculate discharge of duty for fixing the pay scale is
unreasonable and unjustifiable.

The existing & requested pay structure for Joint Director of

Agriculture are given in the following table:

Pay Band Pay band Pay band

fixed as per fixed as per fixed as per
G.O.Ms.No G.O G.O Pay
448 , Finance Ms.No.71, Ms.No.242, Structure
Category
(PC) Finance Finance requeste
Department, Department Department d
dated dated dated
31.12.2010 26.2.2011 22.7.2013
Joint 37400-67000 15600-39100 15600-39100 37400-
Director of +GP 8700 +GP 7600 +GP 7600 67000
Agricultur +GP 8700
e (JDA)

The Tamil Nadu Government Agricultural Graduates'

Association prays the committee humbly to restore the Pay Structure
of 37400 - 67000 + GP 8700 for Joint Director of Agriculture which
was at first sanctioned by the Government of Tamil Nadu vide
G.O.Ms.No 448 , Finance (PC) Department, dated 31.12.2010. As
narrated above, the Joint Director of Agriculture is the highest level
post in the district and also at state level in certain sister
departments. The career of an Agriculture officer of feeder category comes
to full round only when he / she adorns the Joint Director of Agriculture as it is

44
seen a prestigious post in his / her career. Unfortunately, this whopping down
gradation of Pay scale of the Joint Director of Agriculture has ruined the
career.

Hence the Pay Grievance Redressal Committee may kindly

recommend the pay scale of 37400 - 67000 + GP 8700 for Joint
Director of Agriculture as like that of Superintendenting Engineer
since the Agricultural graduates are in no way lesser than in technical acumen
of other professionals.

PRAYER IN NUTSHELL

Albeit the Agricultural officers are besotted with problems like

heavy workload, multitude of responsibilities, delayed promotion
(More than 15 to 25 years), their expectation has been limited to a
reasonable pay scale form the Pay Committee. Even though the
pernicious problem of stagnation saps the energy and spirit from the minds of
the Agricultural Graduates, the expectation for a decent salary keeps the
officers running on toes for the betterment of the Farming Community.
However the inconsistent revision & relegation of pay Scale has affected the

45
morale of the officers and this may lead to a talented officer becoming
indifferent, indolent and ineffective on a long run.

Hence the Tamil Nadu Government Agricultural Graduates'

Association humbly request the Pay Grievance Redressal Committee
to take a considerate approach and recommend the pay scale
requested by the Association for the welfare of the Agro -
Technocrats. This will enthuse the students / Youngsters / Scientists
to opt for Agricultural Stream in Undergraduation / Post graduation /
Profession and will promote Agriculture on a higher trajectory of
growth as more than 60% of the population in this country is
dependent on Agriculture for sustenance and Livelihood. It is also
informed that the cost to the Government exchequer due to revision
will be only Rs.18.75 Cr per year which is 0.13% of the additional
expenditure committed for other employees during the Seventh pay
Commission.

The existing & requested pay structure are given in the following
table:

Pay Band Pay band Pay band Pay Band

fixed as per fixed as per fixed as per requested at
G.O.Ms.No G.O G.O the time of
448 , Finance Ms.No.71, Ms.No.242, Sixth Requested
Category
(PC) Finance Finance Central Pay pay band
Department, Department Department Commission
dated dated dated
By TAGA
31.12.2010 26.2.2011 22.7.2013

Agricultural 15600-39100+ 15600- 9300-34800+ 15600- 15600-

Officer 39100+ 39100+5700 39100+
GP 5400 GP 5100
GP 5100 GP 5400

Assistant 15600-39100 15600-39100 15600- 15600- 15600-

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Director of +GP 6600 +GP 5400 39100+GP 39100+7600 39100 +GP
Agriculture 5400 6600
(ADA)

Deputy 15600-39100 15600-39100 15600-39100 15600- 15600-

Director of +GP 7600 +GP 6600 +GP 6600 39100+8700 39100 +GP
Agriculture 7600
(DDA)

Joint 37400-67000 15600-39100 15600-39100 37400- 37400-

Director of +GP 8700 +GP 7600 +GP 7600 67000+8800 67000 +GP
Agriculture 8700
(JDA)

The total number of Agricultural Graduates in all cadres is as

follows:

S.No. Category Numbers

1 Joint Director of Agriculture 35

2 Deputy Director of Agriculture 166

3 Assistant Director of Agriculture 469

4 Agricultural Officer 1556

TOTAL 2226

Expenditure to Government Exchequer if the Pay is restored

is as follows:

Category Agricultura Assistant Deputy Joint Total

l Officer Director of Director of Director of
Agriculture Agriculture Agriculture

G.O Ms.No.242, 9300+5100 15600+540 15600+660 15600+760 -

Finance = 0= 0= 0=
Department 14400 21000 22200 23200
dated
22.7.2013.

G.O.Ms.No 15600+5400 15600+660 15600+760 37400+870 -

448 , Finance

47
(PC) = 0= 0= 0=
Department,dat 21000 22200 23200 46100
ed 31.12.2010

Pay Difference 6600 1200 1000 22900 -

in a month (Rs.)

Annual 12.32 Cr 0.68 Cr 0.19 Cr 0.96 Cr 14.15

Reduced Total Cr
Pay Rs. in
Crores

In view of the above, we humbly request this Hon’ble Committee to

consider the duties of the officials in the Agriculture Department and their
professional expertise and field exposure and declare that the unilateral
down gradation move of the Government through the G.O.Ms.No.71 and
242 are without any justification whatsoever the down gradation if
effected would gravely affect all our livehood, family’s sustenance,
repayment of the loans, retired and family pensioners sustenance
and education of our children. Therefore, on behalf of our members,
we place this representation with a very humble request to uphold our
current pay scale in order to enable us to migrate the 7 th pay scale, which
are already directed to be provided to us by the Hon’ble Division Bench,
on 23.07.2019.

P.Suresh
State President

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