Even as the Lok Sabha elections are going on, central government employees’ bodies are making demands for constituting the 8th Pay Commission. However, according to reports, the new salary revision commission for central government employees is likely to be set up after the general elections.
In a letter to the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, the Indian Railways Technical Supervisors’ Association has urged to government to set up the 8th Pay Commission and address all current anomalies while not giving room for “future anomalies”.
The Department of Personnel & Training (Do&PT) has forwarded this letter to the Department of Expenditure (finance ministry) for further action.
The expenditure ministry is responsible for implementing the recommendations of a pay commission.
The current 7th Pay Commission was formed in 2014 and its recommendations came into effect in 2016. As a result of it, salaries of central government employees were increased by around 23 per cent. Usually, a central pay commission is formed every 10 year, though is it not mandatory by law.
The pay commission examines, reviews, evolves and recommends changes regarding the principles that should govern the emoluments’ structure including pay, allowances, and other facilities/benefits/ of central government employees and pensioners.
The First Pay Commission was set up in 1946.
8th Pay Commission: What IRTSA Demands?
In the letter, the IRTSA urged the government to constitute a new central pay commission. It also wants the government to correct disparities and anomalies present in the salaries of various groups of employees.
Also, the railway employees’ body also wants allocation of ample time to the pay commission in order to clear all existing anomalies concerning pay and allowances, working conditions, promotional avenues, and post classifications.
On anamolies, it stated, “There are many legal cases pending across the country in various courts regarding anomalies in pay level, increment, pay fixation, promotions, MACPS, retirement benefits, etc, consuming precious time of Courts and affecting the efficiency of government functioning.”
IRTSA also urged the government to take along all stakeholders during this process and getting their perspectives.
The IRTSA said, “3rd, 4th and 5th CPCs recommended for constituting permanent machinery to undertake periodical review of the pay, allowances and conditions of service of the central government employees. 6th CPC recommended for implementing its recommendations w.e.f. 01.01.2006, ten years period since the implementation of 5th CPC.”
Moreover, it also said the 7th Central Pay Commission said the pay matrix be reviewed periodically without waiting for the long period of 10 years.
Significant changes have been witnessed in government operations, the economy, tax collections, service and demands, and poverty levels since the implementation of the 7th CPC recommendations in 2016, IRTSA said.
“New pay commission needs to be constituted for elimination of disparities/anomalies in salaries between different groups of employees and the reasons explained above. Sufficient time should be given to the Pay Commission to study all principles relating to pay & allowance, working conditions, promotional avenue, classification of posts, etc., and to hear the views of every stakeholder, including the staff side,” according to the letter.
