The revised pay scales would be released with effect from January 1, 1999 and the salary of the current month would be paid as per the revised grades. An implementation committee consisting of the Chief Secretary, Finance Secretary and other senior government officials has been formed, which will submit its final recommendations within a period of one month with regard to allowances and other allied issues.

Arrears of salary as per the new grades from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1998 would be released in the new financial year of 1999-2000 in installments, details of which would be announced later. The matter regarding the pending arrears would also be settled in the ensuing year.

According to the decision of the Punjab Government, the pay of a lecturer in the revised scales would be fixed in such a manner that benefit of at least one increment in the revised scale is ensured for every three increments in the unrevised scale as per the "fitment formula" adopted by the Central Government for its employees. For the grant of advance increment in the revised scales of the corresponding unrevised scale of Rs 3700-5700, it could be settled after the matter has been discussed in the implementation committee.

The implementation committee will also look into the question of grant of house rent allowance, city compensatory allowance, travelling allowance and daily allowance, besides other allowance. The committee will also go into the matter of advance increments for people with higher qualifications. Meanwhile, in Patiala Punjab Finance and Planning Minister Kanwaljit Singh has assured the university teachers that the revised UGC pay-scales would be released soon. Punjabi University Teachers Association president S S Khaira said that the assurance was given after an association delegation met the minister regarding its demands.