Central Government Discusses Formation Of 8th Pay Commission And Employee Concerns

The Central government is in active discussions with state governments about the 8th Pay Commission. An announcement on forming the panel is expected soon. This development comes as employees await key appointments and the finalisation of Terms of Reference (ToR) for the commission, following its announcement in January this year.

Last month, a delegation from the Government Employees National Confederation (GENC), linked with Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), met with Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions. They discussed several issues including the delay in implementing the 8th Pay Commission.

Key Discussions and Proposals

The meeting also addressed other concerns such as releasing 18 months of DA arrears frozen during COVID-19, scrapping the National Pension System (NPS) and Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), and restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). A detailed memorandum highlighting these demands was submitted to the Union Minister.

Reports suggest that assurances were given by the Union Minister regarding an imminent announcement about the 8th pay panel. A subsequent meeting with the Pension Secretary focused on reinstating the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

Additional Recommendations

The delegation proposed increasing the compassionate appointment quota beyond its current 5 per cent limit. They also suggested a one-time relaxation to facilitate this change. Another recommendation was to restore commuted pensions after 12 years instead of 15 years.

Moreover, there was a suggestion to reduce the residency period required for promotions across various cadres. These proposals aim to address long-standing demands of government employees and improve their working conditions.

The discussions reflect ongoing efforts to address employee concerns while awaiting formal steps towards establishing the 8th Pay Commission. The government's active consultations indicate progress towards resolving these issues.