8th Pay Commission: What Awaits Central Government Employees? Know Updates On Salary, Pension, Promotion

New Delhi: Several key issues related to the 8th Pay Commission were discussed at a crucial meeting of the National Council (Staff Side)–Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) held in New Delhi on February 25. Employee organizations raised key demands, including increasing the family unit from three to five, ensuring at least five promotions for every employee, increasing annual pay increments, and restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Representatives from various organizations, including the Defense, Railways, and Postal Departments, attended the meeting.

What are the details?

All India Defense Employees Federation (AIDEF) General Secretary C. Srikumar stated that the meeting attempted to reach consensus on issues such as minimum basic pay, promotion policy, and annual pay increments. In the coming 10-15 days, all employee organizations will submit their demands, based on which a common memorandum will be prepared. This memorandum will be submitted to Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, Chairperson of the 8th Pay Commission. Meanwhile, Manjeet Singh Patel, representative of the Central Government Employees Federation, stated that this common memorandum will be finalized at the next meeting on March 10th.

Which issues were discussed?

The issue of increasing the family unit was also raised strongly in the meeting. Currently, the pay revision considers three family units, but employee organizations are demanding to increase this to five so that parents can also be included. They say this change is necessary given rising inflation and family responsibilities. Furthermore, an agreement was reached to quickly submit answers to the 18 questions asked on the 8th Pay Commission website, as the deadline is nearing.

Why is there dissatisfaction among employees?

There was also considerable dissatisfaction among employees regarding promotions. Srikumar said that many talented employees at the junior level are deprived of promotions for years, leading to frustration. Therefore, a demand was made to ensure at least five promotions for every employee in the 8th Pay Commission. Discussions were also held on reducing the gap between the maximum and minimum salaries. Currently, the maximum basic pay in the 7th Pay Commission is 13 times the minimum salary, which was demanded to be reduced to 10 times.

What about the pension system?

The pension system also became a major issue. Employee organizations reiterated their demand to abolish the National Pension System (NPS) and the Unified Pension System (UPS) and reinstate the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). They argue that OPS provides greater security to employees after retirement. Furthermore, in cities where CGHS is not available, a demand was raised to increase the monthly allowance of ₹1,000 to ₹20,000 for employees and pensioners.

Overall, employee organizations have intensified their strategy regarding the 8th Pay Commission. Now everyone's eyes are fixed on the meeting on March 10 and the joint memorandum to be submitted to the Commission thereafter, which will decide how positive a stance the government takes on these demands.