8th Pay Commission: The central government has sanctioned the establishment of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) to revise the allowances for approximately 5 million central government employees and 6.5 million pensioners. A key aspect of the discussions is the fitment factor, which determines the adjustments in salaries and pensions. Both central employees and pensioners are closely monitoring the anticipated increases in their compensation.
NC-JCM has already presented the proposed TOR
The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the CPC is also under scrutiny, with expectations for its finalization by April 2025. The National Council – Joint Consultative Mechanism (NC-JCM) has already presented the proposed TOR to the Commission. Recently, NC-JCM Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra emphasized the necessity for employees to receive equitable salaries in light of inflation, advocating for a fitment factor of at least 2.57 or higher.
‘Government should not set the fitment factor below 2.57’
Given the current surge in inflation, Mishra argues that the government should not set the fitment factor below 2.57. Additionally, media reports indicate that enhancements to the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) scheme have been suggested. Should the government accept this proposal, employees could potentially receive a minimum of five promotions throughout their careers.
Reports also highlight that central employees are requesting the incorporation of dearness allowance (DA) into their basic salaries, along with interim relief until the new pay commission is implemented. Mishra further proposes that the 8th Pay Commission should establish the minimum salary based on the consumption needs of “five units” rather than three.
He asserts that working employees have a moral and legal obligation to support their dependent parents, as mandated by the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2022.