8th pay commission: Around 1.2 crore government employees and pensioners are eagerly waiting for good news regarding their salary hike. However, the formal process of setting up the 8th Pay Commission remains uncertain. Despite this, employees and pensioners continue to remain hopeful about the announcement. The official formation of the commission was expected before Navaratri, but the central government has not yet provided any update on the matter. Why is the salary revision for Central Government employees & Pensioners still pending? What are the obstacles that are pushing the whole process?
According to sources, the central government is stuck with the initial process, which is the terms of reference.
Terms of Reference (ToR)
8th pay commission: The ToR (Terms of Reference) is very important for starting any pay commission’s work. It sets the rules for deciding salaries, allowances, retirement benefits, and other related matters. The ToR acts as the base for the commission’s functioning. The chairman and members can be appointed only after the ToR is finalised. Without it, the commission is not officially formed and cannot begin its work. Only after the announcement of ToR, the process will kick in.
Current Status of Terms of Reference (ToR)
8th pay commission: The government has sought input from stakeholders and is awaiting a final decision to formally establish the commission, which cannot begin its work until the ToR is approved. However, the National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM), which is also responsible for giving suggestions, have submitted its report in January. The government is still receiving input from various ministries, departments, and state governments. The commission cannot be formally established or begin its work until the ToR are notified. The appointment of the chairperson and members will be decided after the ToR are issued.
Will there be any good news before Diwali?
According to sources, the ToR notification may not be done before Diwali, which falls on October 20. However, ToR can be notified related to Bihar assembly election.
Benefits of 8th Pay Commission
Revised salaries will uplift employees’ quality of life, enabling them to live more comfortably and securely. These adjustments align with today’s economic realities, ensuring fairness in compensation. Higher pay is likely to encourage spending, fueling economic growth. Additionally, such revisions often inspire similar wage increases in public sector undertakings and state governments, creating a ripple effect across the economy.
