8th Pay Commission: Central Govt Staff Push for Higher Pay, Festival Advance

Central government employees and their representative bodies have placed a series of demands before the 8th Pay Commission, seeking higher salaries, improved allowances and the restoration of several financial support schemes.

Among the key proposals is a demand from the Staff Side of the National Council (JCM) for a range of new advance facilities that could significantly enhance the financial support available to government employees, Live Mint reported. If accepted, employees may become eligible for a vehicle advance of up to ₹10 lakh, along with festival and natural calamity-related advances.

The JCM memorandum argues that owning a four-wheeler can no longer be viewed as a luxury and has become a necessity for many families. On this basis, it has requested that the ceiling for vehicle advances be increased to ₹10 lakh. The body has also sought a higher limit for computer advances and house-building advances, as per the report.

Another major demand is the restoration of the Natural Calamity Advance, which was discontinued earlier. The proposal recommends providing interest-free financial assistance to employees affected by floods, earthquakes, cyclones and other natural disasters, with repayment spread over 24 instalments.

In addition, the employees' representatives have requested the reintroduction of a festival advance equivalent to one month's basic pay. According to the memorandum, the matter had previously been discussed in a Standing Committee meeting of the National Council (JCM), where the official side had agreed to consider its restoration. However, no decision has been implemented so far. The union maintains that such assistance remains important given the large number of festivals celebrated across the country.

Meanwhile, the Indian Railways Technical Supervisors Association (IRTSA) has submitted a separate memorandum to the 8th Pay Commission seeking substantial revisions to pay structures for railway employees. The association has demanded that the minimum basic pay be raised to ₹52,600 and has called for a higher fitment factor of up to 3.80 for certain categories of employees.

The association has proposed a fitment factor of 2.92 for Level-1 employees. For employees in Pay Levels 6, 7 and 8, it has sought a multiplier of 3.50, while those in Levels 9 to 12 have been proposed a fitment factor of 3.80.

The fitment factor is the multiplier used by pay commissions to revise salaries and pensions. Under the 7th Pay Commission, a fitment factor of 2.57 increased the minimum basic pay from ₹7,000 to ₹18,000. Employee groups argue that a higher multiplier under the 8th Pay Commission is necessary to account for inflation and rising living costs.

However, discussions within the 8th Pay Commission are still at an early stage, and no final decision has been taken on the fitment factor. Various employee organisations and analysts have suggested figures ranging from 2.28 to 3.83.

The recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission are expected to affect more than 1.1 crore beneficiaries, including central government employees, pensioners and their family members. As deliberations continue, employees are also awaiting the next Dearness Allowance (DA) revision, expected later this year, to offset the impact of inflation.