प्रिय साथियो,
8वें वेतन आयोग द्वारा सेवा एसोसिएशनों से मांगे गए मेमोरंडम के संदर्भ में इस एसोसिएशन ने दिनांक 24.06.2026 को आयोग को अपना अभ्यावेदन सौंप दिया है। इस संदर्भ में एसोसिएशन ने आदरणीय सचिव महोदया से भी एसोसिएशन की मांगों को विभाग द्वारा आयोग को प्रेषित किए जाने वाले प्रस्ताव में शामिल करने का अनुरोध किया है। आप सभी के सूचनार्थ:
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Memorandum to 8th CPC by
Central
Secretariat Official Language Service Translation Officers Association
(CSOLSTOA)
(1)
Pay Matters
Basic Pay of
Junior Translation Officer and Senior Translation Officers and Level in Pay
Matrix:
Hindi, being the Official Language
of the Union, plays a vital role in governance. The Government of India has
consistently emphasized its progressive use across ministries and departments.
In this context, the Junior Translation Officers (JTOs) and Senior Translation
Officers (STOs) of Central Secretariat Official Language Service (CSOLS)
are the pivots of translating various documents related to Government machinery
besides being instrumental in implementation of Official Language Policy of
Government of India. However, despite their critical role, the cadre continues
to face inadequate remuneration and limited promotional avenues.
CONCERN-1: HIGHER QUALIFICATIONS OF
JTOs & STOs and Lower pay scales:
The post of Junior Translation
Officers (JTOs) forms the feeder post and is placed in the pay scale of Rs.
35,400- Rs.1,12,400 (erstwhile
GP Rs. 4200) [Level-6] a Non-Gazetted post. After 5 years of minimum service
and subject to availability of posts, JTOs are promoted to the post of Senior
Translation Officer, again a Non-Gazetted post in the pay scale of Rs. 44,900-
Rs. 1,42,900 (erstwhile
GP Rs. 4600) [Level-7]. Thus, JTOs and STOs continue to be in Non-Gazetted
posts and in lower pay scales for a longer period of their service.
This has resulted in a sense of dissatisfaction and restlessness among the JTOs and STOs as they find their pay scales much lower than their higher Qualifications (Post Graduation + English/Hindi at PG/UG level as medium of Instruction or subject + PG Diploma in Translation or 3 years’ experience in Translation or terminological work in Government offices) and vital responsibilities attached to their posts. Thus, the JTOs and STOs of CSOLS cadre seek upgradation of their respective grade pays that commensurate with their merit.
CONCERN-2: ABSENCE
OF GROUP 'B' GAZETTED POSTS :
CONCERN-3: ANOMALY
AROUSED OUT OF MISINTERPRETATION OF ORDERS AND SUBSEQUENT COURT ORDERS:
Apart of it,
official language cadre is also struggling with a serious anomaly. On the recommendation of 6th
CPC, the post of Junior Translator was placed in the pre-revised pay scale of
₹6500–10500, as per the Office Memorandum dated 24.11.2008. Subsequently, the
Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, through its O.M. dated
13.11.2009, directed that posts in this scale—initially granted Grade Pay ₹4200
in PB-2—be upgraded to Grade Pay ₹4600. Despite these clear instructions,
several Central Government departments failed to extend this benefit to JTOs.
As a result, affected employees throughout
country approached judicial forums, including various benches of the Central
Administrative Tribunal (CAT), High Courts such as Delhi, Patna, and Kerala, Allahabad,
Madhya Pradesh, Madras and Bengaluru and even the Supreme Court. These courts
consistently ruled in favor of the applicants, affirming their entitlement to
Grade Pay ₹4600 from 01.01.2006 or from the date of appointment (Details are
attached at Annexure -1). Nevertheless, implementation has
largely remained litigation-driven, resulting in the coexistence of two pay
structures (₹4200 and ₹4600 Grade Pay) for the same post, which is a clear and
continuing anomaly.
CONCERN-4: HIGHER ATTRITION RATE IN
CADRE:
Owing to
lower Grade Pays as compared to their merit, there is a sustained trend of
attrition, with CSOLS officers moving to Parliamentary Secretariats (Level-8
for Translators), Courts (level -7), and other organizations like PSUs/Banks
(Level-10) and subordinate offices under various ministries offering higher
entry pay with same level of qualifications. This results in recurring
vacancies, increased workload, and avoidable expenditure on recruitment and
training. The anomaly has also led to repeated litigation, indicating systemic
dissatisfaction.
CSOLS cadre has lost many of its talented translators to other services where they find the pay scale/Grade pay matching with their merit and educational qualifications. This brain-drain is causing a huge loss of human resource to the service. On the other hand, qualifications for the post of Asst. Director in Ministries and Various subordinate offices/Banks and PSUs are identical to the qualifications of a JTO. This also discourage them to remain in the post of JTO in CSOLS.
Response:
DEMAND
1: Junior Translation Officer (JTO) — Direct entry at LEVEL-7 in the Pay
Matrix.
DEMAND 2: Senior Translation Officer (STO) — Placement at LEVEL-8 in the Pay Matrix with Gazetted (Group 'B') status, ensuring a meaningful promotional differential above the JTO post.
Justification
for Upgradation:
1. Nature and Complexities of Duties:
These grades of JTOs and STOs are primarily involved in dual duties of “Translation
work” and assisting higher officers in the hierarchy in the “Implementation
of official language Policy of Govt. of India.” The work performed by
JTOs/STOs is highly specialized and of technical nature, requiring not only
bilingual proficiency but also subject-matter expertise across diverse domains
such as administration, law, finance, technology, health, agriculture, science,
culture, publication, training etc. During service, a translator is generally
required to serve in approximately four to five Ministries/Departments, each
having its own distinct terminology. Consequently, with every new
posting, a translator must acquaint himself/herself thoroughly with the
specific terminology of the concerned office to ensure the delivery of work of
a high standard and quality.
Translation
of various Official Documents is statutorily mandated in the Government of
India functioning. Documents to be provided in Hindi inter alia include
Parliament questions’ answers, Supplementaries, important documents issued bilingually under section 3 (3)
of Official language act, 1963, cabinet notes, Standing Committee
materials, Annual Reports, Outcome Budget, Website material, RTIs, Treaties,
Agreements, Conventions, Contracts, Action Taken Notes/Reports, all documents
to be laid in the Parliament, Messages/Speeches/Articles of the Hon’ble
Ministers, PPTs, Letters and other routine and regular documents prepared in
the Ministries/ departments.
Deviation of
a single shade makes a huge difference in the meaning. Hence, utmost care and
expertise is required for translation of official documents. The
complexity and precision required in official translation justify higher Grade
Pay.
2.
Work load and time sensitivity:
It is also a
well-known fact in the corridors of Secretariat that during the parliament
session the late sittings for JTOs/STOs are a routine affair. Their
task generally starts after the parliament questions, Note for Pads for Hon'ble
Ministers are prepared by concerned divisions and this translation work is
generally disposed in the late hours, and very often till midnights. Such long
hours of duty also take a toll on their health. In the line of service to the
nation translators very often sacrifice their precious family time and remain
unheard and unsung.
3.
Contribution to implementation of Official Language Policy:
CSOLS officers play a crucial role in implementing the Official Language Policy
of the Government of India, which is a constitutional mandate. Apart of,
translation work, noting, drafting and file work, TOs organise
Workshops /seminars and meetings of Hindi Salahkar Samiti, they
evaluate Quarterly Progress Reports of subordinate offices/units of
organization, they also perform the role of Member- Secretary in OLIC very
often. JTOs and STOs perform central role in disposing work related to
inspections conducted by TOLIC, Parliamentary Committee on Official Language
etc., and they conduct OL inspections too.
4. Higher
Educational Qualification and Competitive Recruitment:
The minimum
qualifications of JTOs/STOs are high (Master’s degree in Hindi/English with two
years translation expertise) and recruitment is conducted through competitive
examinations. Such entry justifies better pay scales.
5.
Disparity with Analogous Posts:
There exists
disparity when compared with similarly placed posts in other cadres/services
where the nature of work, qualifications, and responsibilities are comparable
but are placed in higher Grade Pay. In the Rajya Sabha Secretariat,
entry-level translation posts are placed at Pay Level -8. Similarly, in the
Supreme Court of India and various High Courts, translator/interpreter posts
are placed at Level-7 or Level-8.
In contrast,
JTOs in CSOLS—despite identical entry qualifications and handling more
policy-sensitive and high-volume work in Central Ministries—continue at Pay
Level-6. This results in a one-level disadvantage at entry stage and a
cascading disadvantage throughout the career span. Senior Translation Officers
similarly remain one level below comparable posts in other organizations.
6.
Brain drain causing a loss to Government:
If we look
at the data of recent years, it is evident that several JTOs have left the job
in their first few years and joined as a Translator in other institutions like
Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Courts, PGT or other services in different
capacities. Inducting a new employee and then investing precious time and
resources during his initial years of service cost a lot to the govt.
7.
Judicial Aspect: The entitlement of JHTs/JTOs to Grade
Pay Rs.4,600/- (Level-7) has been upheld by different courts including supreme
Court. There has been a long history of litigations for
upgradation of pay scales w.e.f. 01.01.2006 based on Department of
Expenditure’s order dated 13.09.2009. Here also, unfortunately, the Junior
Translation Officer (erstwhile Junior Translator) were not given due
consideration and were not considered for such upgradation. This anomaly
had rooted in the year 2006 when the Pay scales of Junior Hindi Translators was
in Rs. 6500-10500 (pre-revised scale) as on 01.01.2006 vide Office Memorandum
dated 24.11.2008 (O.M. attached for ready reference). Thereafter, vide
O.M. dated 13.11.2009, the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure
granted the revised pay structure of Grade pay of Rs. 4600/- in the pay band
PB-2 to the posts that existed in the pre-revised scale of Rs. 6500-10,500 as
on 01.01.2006 and which were granted the normal replacement pay structure of
grade pay of Rs. 4200/- in the pay band-2.
Despite being clear instructions in the O.M. dated 13.11.2009 of Ministry of
Finance, Department of Expenditure about upgradation of pay of Junior Hindi
Translators from 4200/- as on 01.01.2006) to Rs. 4600/- grade pay, many
departments of Central Government have been denying this benefit to
Junior Hindi Translator from the beginning but late when Junior Hindi
Translators approached Hon’ble courts (CAT/HC/SC) for seeking justice, the
courts pronounced the judgements in favour of Junior Hindi Translator, then
many departments started extending this benefit (Rs.4600/- grade pay to
JHT/JTO/JT w.e.f. 01.01.2006 or from the date of joining in the said post
whichever is earlier) to those JTOs/JHTs who got in persona justice from the
Hon’ble courts. Your kind attention is drawn to the table in Annexure -1
where various courts have pronounced judgements in the favour of JTOs/JHT/JT.
Justification
for Gazetted Status for STOs:
The grant
of Gazetted status to Senior Translation Officers (STOs) along with
placement in Grade Pay ₹4800 (Pay Level-8) is justified in light of
the principles laid down by the Department of
Personnel and Training O.M. dated 21.11.1950, which emphasizes that such
classification must be based on the nature of responsibilities,
authority, and status of the post, rather than historical precedent or
pay alone. STOs perform highly sensitive and responsibility-laden
functions, including translation and vetting of Cabinet Notes,
Parliamentary documents, statutory texts, and policy papers, where even minor
inaccuracies can have significant legal and administrative consequences. They
play a very crucial role in organizing big events like Hindi Sammelans, Meetings
of Hindi Salahkar Samiti, preparing Questionnaires for meetings of Parliamentary
Committee on Official language etc. Along with it, STOs, in certain
circumstances have to represent their offices in Parliamentary Official
Language Inspections. In case of Subordinate Offices across India, where there
are isolated posts of JTOs/STOs, this is a common practice that STOs perform
all the duties and responsibilities lies with the post of Astt. Director. Their
work requires independent judgment, domain expertise, and precision,
going far beyond routine or clerical functions.
Further, STOs undertake supervisory roles,
guiding junior staff and ensuring quality control, thereby fulfilling the
criteria of higher responsibility associated with Gazetted posts. The
prescribed qualifications—Master’s degree and specialized translation
competence—along with continuous engagement in technical and domain-specific
work, place them at par with other professional cadres already enjoying
Gazetted status at similar levels. Accordingly, applying the functional and
responsibility-based test, STOs fully merit Gazetted status with Grade
Pay ₹4800, ensuring parity, administrative efficiency, and recognition
of their critical role in governance.
Recommendations
In view of
the points mentioned in the justification title, it is recommended that Junior
Translation Officers be upgraded to Pay Level-7 (Grade Pay ₹4600) and Senior
Translation Officers to Pay Level-8 (Grade Pay ₹4800) with Gazetted status. It
is therefore earnestly requested that the 8th CPC take a holistic
and sympathetic view of the matter and recommend appropriate measures to remove
anomalies, ensure parity and restore the cadre to a position of dignity and
progress.
(2) INCREMENT
To match pace with the rising cost of living and other
financial factors it is proposed to raise the current rate of 3% of annual
increment to at least 6 % and extend Non-Functional Upgradation benefits to
Official Language Cadre as well.
(3) BASIC PAY
It is
proposed that Junior Translation Officers be placed in Pay Level-7 (Grade Pay
₹4600) and Senior Translation Officers in Pay Level-8 (Grade Pay ₹4800) along
with Gazetted status. This would ensure a fair and a more rational pay
progression without disturbing the existing hierarchy.
(4) Allowances- The existing structure of
allowances requires substantial revision in view of the prevailing economic
conditions.
(i)
HRA - Since House rent in India
generally increases by 5-15% on yearly basis. Thus, rental costs in metro cities
have been continually rising. It is therefore, requested that the rate of
HRA be revised to 40%, 30% and 20 % of basic pay for X, Y and Z class
cities respectively, and that these rated be suitable linked with Dearness
Allowance to ensure periodic adjustment.
(ii)
Tour, Travel and Daily Allowances:
With the rising prices of fuel, inflation and accommodation expenses the
current allowances (TA/Lodging/TTA/Daily Allowance etc) are not sufficient
which discourage a central govt employee to go for official tours or travels as
he/she has to meet the expense from his/her own pocket. Thus, given the current
scenario, it should be increased at least three times.
(iii) Children Education Allowances: Since most of the Government schools are located in govt residential colonies so logistically it is almost impossible for an employee residing in private colony on rent to get his/her ward admitted in a Government School. As a result, they have to opt for a private school. It is evident that the allowance a government employee gets as tuition fees for one child amounts to even less than a quarterly fee of a private school. The fees of these private schools in urban areas are around 1-3 lakh per year, with high school and senior secondary fees potentially reaching out around 5 lakhs or more per year. Hidden costs like uniforms, books, stationery items, transport and development fees significantly add to this burden. In view of the facts, the allowance should be increased to 1.5 Lakh mentioned above, per child per annum, with hostel subsidy up to Rs. 3 Lakh or actual expenditure, whichever is lower. Provision for enhanced rated for Divyang children, periodic revision, and exemption from taxation would further ensure that employees are adequately supported in meeting educational expenses.
House Building Advance: HBA, which is intended as a welfare measure, has
lost its relevance in the face of escalating real estate prices. The
existing limits are insufficient for purchasing or constructing a house,
particularly in metropolitan cities. It is, therefore, proposed that the
ceiling of House Building Advance be increased to 50 lakh or 50 months’ basis
pay, whichever is lower, and that the advance be made interest-free to make it
truly beneficial.
(6) FACILITIES
(i)
The existing Group Insurance Scheme
does not provide adequate financial security to the families of employees in
the event of death or permanent disability. It is proposed that a
comprehensive term insurance facility be introduced with coverage ranging from
Rs 1 Cr to Rs 5 Cr at subsidized rates, ensuring financial protection for
employees and their families.
(ii)
The medical facilities under CGHS
also require reform. The current system, which involves multiple
referrals, often causes inconvenience and delays in treatment. It is
recommended that employees and pensioners be permitted to avail direct OPD
consultations and cashless treatment at empaneled private hospitals without
the need for prior referral.
(iii)
The Leave Travel Concession Scheme,
while beneficial, can be further improved by extending special dispensation
schemes to all employees and by increasing the number of leave encashment
opportunities during service. Such measures, would enhance employee
welfare and contribute to improved productivity.
(7) PERFORMANCE
INCENTIVE
The existing
system of bonus requires rationalization. It is proposed that bonus be made
equivalent to thirty days’ basic pay so as to provide meaningful financial
incentive and recognition of employee contribution.
(8) CAREER PROGRESSION
The modified
Assured Career Progression Scheme should be strengthened to address
stagnation. It is proposed that the number of financial upgradations be
increased from three to five, to be granted at intervals of 6,12,18,24 and 30
years of service.
(9) RETIREMENT
BENEFITS
The
provisions relating to leave encashment should be revised by increasing the
number of permissible encashment opportunities during service and enhancing the
ceiling at the time of retirement from 300 days to 600 days.
Further, the
existing National Pension System is perceived as uncertain and less beneficial
compared to the earlier system. It is therefore, requested that the old
Pension Scheme be reintroduced to ensure financial security and stability for retired
employees.
Annexure -1
List of Supreme Court,
High Court and Central Administrative Tribunal’s Judgements wherein 4600 GP for
JTOs is upheld.
|
Sr. NO. |
Court/Bench |
Applicant |
Respondent |
Case No. |
Date of judgement |
|
SUPREME COURT ORDERS |
|||||
|
1.
|
Supreme Court |
UOI &
Others |
P. R. Hareendra
Sarma |
SLP(c) diary no
13585/2025 |
01.04.2025 |
|
2.
|
Supreme Court |
UOI &
Others |
Shahzad Singh |
SLP(c) diary no. 52178/2025 |
27.10.2025 |
|
3.
|
Supreme Court |
Regional Passport officers |
P. Jeevdarshan |
SLP (c) diary no. 60038/2025 |
31.10.2025 |
|
4.
|
Supreme Court |
UOI &
Others |
Lt. Col.
Suprita Chandel |
OA.241/2021 |
09.09.2024 |
|
5.
|
Supreme Court |
UOI &
Others |
T.M.Thomas |
SLP-23053/2016 |
26.07.2019 |
|
6.
|
Supreme Court |
UOI &
Others |
T. P. Leena |
SLP (c) No.
28536/2012 |
15.10.2012 |
|
7.
|
Supreme Court |
UOI &
Others |
Ramesh Pal
& Others |
Civil Appeal
No. 10882-10833/2018 |
Pending in SC |
|
HIGH COURT ORDER S |
|||||
|
8.
|
High Court,
Delhi |
UOI &
Others |
Shahzad Singh
& Others |
W.P. (c)
7382/2025 |
27.05.2025 |
|
9.
|
High Court,
Kerala |
UOI & Others |
P. R. Hareendra
Sarma |
OP (CAT)No.
170/2024 |
02.12.2024 |
|
10.
|
High Court,
Madhya Pradesh |
UOI &
Others |
Monika Jadon |
Misc. Pet. No.4418/2014 |
25.10.2024 |
|
11.
|
High Court,
Kerala |
Min. of
Agriculture |
Beena K. Nair |
OP (CAT)No.
54/2024 |
11.06.2024 |
|
12.
|
High Court,
Madras |
UOI &
Others |
Ashish Kumar Khare |
W.P.35670 of
2023 and WMP. No. 35643
of 2023 |
20.12.2024 |
|
13.
|
High Court,
Allahabad |
UOI &
Others |
Late Narayan
Singh & Others |
Writ A No. 318/2024 |
16.07.2024 |
|
14.
|
High Court,
Kerala |
UOI &
Others |
Krishnan N. V. |
OP (CAT)No. 123/2023 |
19.01.2024 |
|
15.
|
High Court,
Kerala |
UOI &
Others |
T.P. Leena |
OP(CAT)467/2012 |
21.06.2012 |
|
16.
|
High Court,
Kerala |
UOI &
Others |
P. R.
Anandwally Amma |
OP (CAT)
118/2015 |
23.07.2015 |
|
17.
|
High Court,
Kerala |
UOI &
Others |
T. M. Thomas |
OP (CAT)
142/2014 |
01.04.2015 |
|
18.
|
High Court,
Delhi |
UOI & Others |
M.M. Bhatt, Ramesh Pal, Rajesh Raushan |
WP (C)
10323/2015 WP (C)
10382/2016 WP
(C)11106/2016 |
10.03.2017 |
|
19.
|
High Court, karnataka |
Min. of
Statistics |
Bhamidipati
Naresh |
WP 43017/2019 |
04.03.2020 |
|
20.
|
High Court, karnataka |
UOI &
Others |
Intekhab Jafar |
WP No,
35444/2019 |
19.01.2021 |
|
Central Administrative Tribunal’s Orders |
|||||
|
21.
|
CAT, Ernakulam |
T.P. Leena |
UoI |
OA No. 107/2011 |
27.09.2011 |
|
22.
|
CAT, Ernakulam |
P. R. Anandwally
Amma T.M. THOMAS |
UoI |
No.656/2012 No. 953/2012 |
14.10.2013 |
|
23.
|
CAT, New Delhi |
M.M. Bhatt |
UOI |
OA No.747/2014 |
29.06.2015 |
|
24.
|
CAT, New Delhi |
Ramesh Pal |
UOI |
Uol OA No.
3806/2014 |
26.02.2016 |
|
25.
|
CAT, New Delhi |
Anjani |
CESTAT |
OA No.
1439/2015 |
Reserved on
05.12.2016 |
|
26.
|
CAT, Bangalore |
Intekhab Jafar |
NSSO (M o
Statistics] |
OA No.
170/379/2018 |
01.02.2019 |
|
27.
|
CAT, Bangalore |
Bhamidipati
Naresh |
Min. of
Statistics |
OA.No.170/200/2018 |
22.01.2019 |
|
28.
|
CAT, Lucknow |
Devendra k.
Agnihotri |
UOI |
OA No.363/2014 |
31.01.2019 |
|
29.
|
CAT, Cuttack |
Ram Hari Sahu |
UOI |
OA. No.377/2014 |
26.08.2019 |
|
30. |
CAT, New Delhi |
Manjesh
Parashar |
C&AG |
OA No. 19937202 |
13.09.2021 |
|
31. |
CAT, Ernakulam |
Krishnan N. V. |
MoD (Navy) |
OA.No.180/00668/2016
|
10.01.2022 |
|
32. |
CAT, ALLAHABAD |
Bhagwan Das |
UOI |
OA NO.
330/01568/2017 |
11.05.2022 |
|
33. |
CAT, Allahabad |
Vinod Diwakar |
Uol (MoD) |
OA
No.330/01575/2017 |
11.05.2022 |
|
34. |
CAT, Allahabad |
Bhagwan Das |
CDA |
OA.No.
1568/2017 |
11.05.2022 |
|
35. |
CAT, Ernakulam |
Chandana Rajesh |
DOOL |
648/2018 |
01.08.2023 |
|
36. |
CAT, Allahabad |
Narain Singh |
UoI |
OA No.
330/00489/2019 |
29.03.2023 |
|
37. |
CAT, Guwahati |
Gajen Taye |
Central Silk
Board, Ministry of Textile |
OA
No.040/00286/2019 OA
No.040/00238/2020 |
Date of
hearing-23.05.2023 Date of Order—
06.2023 |
|
38. |
CAT, Jabalpur |
Monika Jadon |
MOD(NCC) |
OA No.
202/118/2019 |
27.06.2023 |
|
39. |
CAT, Ernakulam |
P.R. HAREENDRA
SARMA |
UOI |
OA.180/0233/2016 |
08.09.2023 |
|
40. |
CAT, Ernakulam |
R.I. Resmi |
Ministry of Agriculture |
OA.No.180/00873/2016 |
18.08.2023 |
|
41. |
CAT, Ernakulam |
Beena K. Nair |
Ministry of
Agriculture |
180/00636/2019 |
09.08.2023 |
|
42. |
CAT, Ernakulam |
Beenu K. B. |
UOI &
Others |
180/65/2023 |
|
|
43. |
CAT, New Delhi |
M.C. Pandey |
UoI |
OA No.3456/2015 |
11.01.2023 |
|
44. |
CAT, New Delhi |
Satish Chandra
Dabral |
MHA |
OA No.2450/2023 |
01.02.2024 |
|
45. |
CAT, New Delhi |
SHEHZAD SINGH |
Department of
Post |
OA No.
3984/2023 |
12.09.2024 |
|
46. |
CAT,
GUHAWATI BENCH |
RAKESH RANJAN
MISHRA |
UOI |
OA.04/0035/2019 |
25.02.2025 |
|
47. |
CAT PR. BENCH
NEW DELHI |
BANDANA JHA |
UOI |
OA.1691/2025 |
08.05.2025 |
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