The Central Government last month announced the 8th Pay Commission in a surprising move, with over 1 Central Government employees and pensioners are now waiting for the salary and pension hike. News24 with its recent interviews tried to find out that what will be the actual pay hike. Now, M. Raghavaiah, the staff side leader of the National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) has told NDTV Profit that they are pushing for a fitment factor of “at-least 2” in the new Pay Commission.

Subhash Chandra Garg, the former finance secretary of India, told News24 in an exclusive interview that the government may approve the fitment factor of 1.92-2.08 under the next Pay Commission. The revised fitment factor suggested by Raghavaiah is in the middle of ‘1.92-2.08’ fitment.

8th Pay Commission: Salary Hike

Currently, the central government employees’ minimum basic salary is Rs 18,000. Pensioners’ minimum basic pension is Rs 9,000 under the 7th Pay Commission.

At 1.92 fitment factor, central government employees’ minimum basic salary will rise to 34,560. Moreover, the minimum basic pension could surge to Rs 17,280. At 2 fitment factor, central government employees’ minimum basic salary will rise to 36,000, a 100% increase. Moreover, the minimum basic pension could surge to Rs 18,000, if the fitment factor is kept 2. At 2.08 fitment factor, central government employees’ minimum basic salary will rise to 37,440, a 108% increase. Moreover, the minimum basic pension could surge to Rs 18,720, if the fitment factor is kept 2.08.

Timeline

“The Government has approved constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission,” said Pankaj Chaudhary, Union MOS Finance, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on February 4. On the question on the appointment of members & chairperson of the new Pay Commission and the timeline, the Minister said, “Will be decided in due course.”

However, Shiv Gopal Mishra, secretary staff side NC–JCM (National Council – Joint Consultative Machinery) in an exclusive conversation with News24, talked about the expected timeline of the new Pay Commission.

“I’m hopeful that the 8th Pay Commission will be established by February 15th, 2025. The Commission’s report will be finalized by November 30th, and the government will review it in December for further consideration, and the new Pay Commission can be implemented from January 2026 in the country,” he remarked.

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