The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers has urged the government to establish the 8th Central Pay Commission, citing rising inflation and decreasing purchasing power as key reasons. This is a representative body for approximately 7 lakh central government employees across various departments. These departments include postal, income tax, audit, survey, census, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), and Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), among others.

The workers’ body wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting that central government employees’ wages haven’t seen a revision since January 1, 2016. Furthermore, as of July 7, 2024, the Dearness Allowance (DA) entitlement percentage surpassed 53%.

“After the pandemic situation, the prices of essential commodities and also the non-essential commodities have increased manifold including manufacturing industries, construction, health, service sector, etc. The higher interest rates are also adversely affecting employees/pensioners, the inflation is in the range of 4 % to 7% on an average is about 5.5 %. Due to higher inflation rates, the real money value has gone down considerably in the past 9 years, especially after the Covid situation,” read the letter.

“The pay structure of the central government employees should be sound enough to attract the best talent of our Country, it should be revised every five years. The best-talented employees would be instrumental in providing good leadership and good governance,” the letter further read.

Furthermore, the Confederation urgently requests the immediate constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission, without any additional delay.

8th Pay Commission: Details Inside!

Shiv Gopal Mishra, secretary, staff side, National Council of Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) earlier said that the upcoming Pay Commission may consider implementing a minimum fitment factor of “at least 2.86”.

If the government gives the green light to the proposed fitment factor, central government employees can expect a whopping 186% hike in their minimum salary, skyrocketing from Rs 18,000 to Rs 51,480. Furthermore, the government may increase the minimum pension for central government employees, raising it from the current Rs 9,000 to Rs 25,740 by applying the proposed fitment factor.

However, the Union Finance Ministry has revealed in the Rajya Sabha that, for now, there are no plans to set up a new pay commission.

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