As much as the central government employees and pensioners have built up their anticipation about the formation of the 8th Pay Commission, employee organizations believe that the current revenue collection and financial conditions are more than healthy enough to present an ideal time for forming the commission. Many discussions have been held so that the government is likely to take a decision in the near future.
Historical Background and Formation Timeline
Traditionally, every decade, a new pay commission is constituted to reassess and revise the pay scales of government employees. The 7th Pay Commission was constituted in February 2014 under the Manmohan Singh administration, whose recommendations came into effect in January 2016. As per this pattern, the 8th Pay Commission is likely to be formed soon, probably in December 2024, to ensure that its recommendations would come into effect by January 2026, which will mark ten years since the last revision.
Fitment Factor and Expected Salary Increases
Pay revision is incomplete without incorporating the fitment factor which decides the increment in basic salary. The 7th Pay Commission applied a fitment factor of 2.57 that brought about quite a steep increase in basic pay for central government employees. For example, Secretary of the National Council of Joint Consultative Machinery, Shiv Gopal Mishra has demanded an increased fitment factor in the 8th Pay Commission to reduce the effect of inflation on employee remuneration.
Persistent Call for the Formation of the 8th Pay Commission and Government Reaction. The NC-JCM met the Cabinet Secretary in July 2024 and again reiterated demands in August. So, as of now, nothing has been officially announced by the government regarding the formation of a new commission.
Conclusion
The formation of the 8th Pay Commission is the most important issue for the central government employees and pensioners, as it impacts their financial well-being. While the government has not given an official timeline, the persistence of employee organizations in getting this done shows that such action is necessary. Therefore, a revised pay structure that reflects the current reality of the economy is an essential step to maintain morale and ensure fair compensation to the employees.
