If you are waiting for the formation of the 8th Pay Commission, the government’s latest announcement might disappoint you. In a setback to over one crore central government employees and pensioners, the Union Finance Ministry has confirmed that there is currently no proposal under consideration for the formation of the 8th Pay Commission.
Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, while responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, stated clearly that there is no plan at present for the establishment of the 8th Central Pay Commission.
The question was raised by MPs Javed Ali Khan and Ramji Lal Suman, seeking clarity on whether the central government plans to announce a new pay commission in the Union Budget 2025-26, scheduled to be presented on February 1, 2025.
The MPs also inquired whether the financial condition of the central government is an obstacle to revising the pay scale. However, since no proposal is currently under consideration, the minister clarified that this issue does not arise.
Impact on Over 1 Crore People
This decision will affect and disappoint nearly 50 lakh central government employees and about 67 lakh pensioners. Many had hoped that the Modi government would bring favourable news for them in the upcoming budget.
Historically, the central government has constituted a new pay commission every 10 years. If the same timeline is followed, the term of the 7th Pay Commission will end on December 31, 2025.
Effect of the Government’s Announcement
- Disappointment Among Employees and Pensioners: The government’s confirmation that the 8th Pay Commission is not under consideration has left over one crore central government employees and pensioners disappointed.
- Uncertainty Over Pay Scale Revision: The announcement has dashed hopes for an early revision of pay scales, leaving employees uncertain about future financial benefits.
- Impact on Morale: The absence of a new pay commission may negatively affect the morale of government employees and pensioners, especially since pay commissions typically offer significant salary and pension hikes.
- Public Sentiment and Elections: This decision could influence public sentiment, particularly among government employees, ahead of upcoming elections, as many had expected the government to announce favourable measures for them.
- Budget Expectations Diminished: With the Union Budget 2025-26 approaching, the announcement has led to decreased expectations of any immediate relief in pay or allowances