Speculation is growing about the salary hike for state government employees. The state government has not yet announced when the 7th Pay Commission will be implemented. However, the central government has already announced the formation of the 8th Pay Commission. So, when will the government employees of West Bengal receive their salaries under the new Pay Commission? Let’s take a look.
History of Pay Commission in West Bengal
Confederation of State Government Employees General Secretary, Malay Mukherjee, stated that the first Pay Commission in West Bengal was formed in 1971. Since then, a new Pay Commission has been established every decade. Here’s the timeline:
- The Second Pay Commission was formed in 1981.
- The Third Pay Commission was formed in 1990.
- The Fourth Pay Commission was formed in 1998.
- The Fifth Pay Commission was formed in 2009.
- The Sixth Pay Commission was formed in 2020 and is currently in effect.
State government employees are currently under the Sixth Pay Commission, which was implemented on January 1, 2020. However, the question remains: when will the Seventh Pay Commission be formed?
Possibility of the Seventh Pay Commission
Although a small increase in DA (Dearness Allowance) was announced for state government employees in this year’s budget, there has been no word on when the new Pay Commission will be implemented. Currently, state government employees are receiving a DA of 14%, which will increase to 18% from April next year. However, a mere DA increase is not seen as a complete solution. Employees have been demanding the formation of a new Pay Commission.
Comparison with Central Government Employees
Central government employees are currently under the Seventh Pay Commission, receiving a DA of 53%. From January 1, 2026, they will come under the Eighth Pay Commission, with the possibility of a further DA increase. In contrast, West Bengal government employees are still under the Sixth Pay Commission and are receiving only 14% DA.
Is Trinamool Following the Left’s Trend?
Historically, under the Left regime, a new Pay Commission was formed every decade. Will the current Trinamool government follow the same path? If so, the announcement of the Seventh Pay Commission may come around 2026. However, no official statement has been made by the government yet.
Employee Demands and Government’s Response
State government employees have long been demanding the formation of a new Pay Commission. However, it seems that the government is currently addressing the issue by increasing the DA. No indications have been given regarding the formation of a new Pay Commission. It remains to be seen what decision will be taken regarding the Seventh Pay Commission.