Dhaka: Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Wednesday said implementation of the proposed new pay scale for the public servants will begin once the report of the Secretary-level Committee will be available.

‘The decision to execute the new pay scale from July next now depends on the report of the Secretary-level Committee,’ he told reporters after a meeting with newly appointed Canadian High Commissioner Benoit-Pierre Laramee at his secretariat office in the morning.

Replying to a query, the Finance Minister said, ‘Let them (Secretary Committee) to submit the report, then the government will determine the next course of action.’

The secretary-level committee, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, was formed in January last to review the recommendations. The committee was supposed to submit its observations by 15 March. But, the tenure of the committee has been extended up to 15 April after the committee failed to place the recommendations.

Nearly 13 lakh public servants are eagerly waiting for the new pay scale. Last year, the government formed the 8th National Pay and Services Commission headed by former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Farashuddin.

About the meeting’s outcomes, Muhith said it was a courtesy call by the newly appointed Canadian High Commissioner in Bangladesh.

Terming Canada as a good friend of Bangladesh, the Finance Minister said the country has been extending its cooperation to Bangladesh in all sectors, including education and health from the beginning.

‘Canada was Bangladesh's first donor country,’ he added.