7th Pay Commission: Delay in hike as government looks to bridge pay gap

There are lakhs of Central Government employees who are awaiting for good news relating to the 7th Pay Commission. Will Arun Jaitley live up to his promise and offer the CG employees the much-needed balm.

Work on it is underway and the pay hike and fitment factor would be increased, sources tell OneIndia. The key to this would, however, be to bridge the pay gap which is exceptionally large.

The pay in the highest pay matrix (Level-18) meant for Cabinet secretary to the government is Rs 2,50,000 (fixed), which was Rs 90,000 (fixed) in the immediate past under 6th pay commission recommendation. The rate of increase is 178%.

The pay matrix in the lowest grade (Level-1) is Rs 18,000 which was Rs 7,000 under 6th pay commission recommendation. The rate of increase is 157%.

The pay gap between the highest pay matrix (Level-18) and the lowest grade (Level -1) is 1:14, which was 1:12 in the 6th pay scale.," a union leader quoted by Sen Times said.
The report also said that it is an uneven comparison between the pays of top bureaucrats and lowest earning employees but all pay commissions except 7th Pay Commission made up pay gap between lower paid employees and top officers from second Pay Commission 1:41 ratio to Sixth pay commission 1:12.

"A glance at the central pay hike without going into the pay bands shows that an employee who drew Rs 100 is now getting Rs 257 on an average with fitment factor 2.57 times of basic pay of 6th pay commission. But but the central government employees unions have been demanding a further raise to Rs 368 with fitment factor 3.68 times. The government plans to give Rs 300 with fitment factor 3.00 times," the report further stated.

Meanwhile, the AIBOC has decided to send a detailed communication to the government immediately followed by a nationwide demonstration on 9th May 2018. If the government do not respond immediately, the unions will carry a two-day strike. It is knowing over 10 lakh bankers in government and private banks will go on a two-day strike by the end of May.