Central government employees and pensioners have been waiting for the 8th Pay Commission for many months. Now, it seems their wait may soon be over. The government has shared that talks are going on with state governments, and an official announcement is expected shortly.
Last month, members of the Government Employees National Confederation (GENC) met Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh. GENC is linked to the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS). In the meeting, members raised their concerns about the delay in forming the 8th Pay Commission and other important issues.
Announcement and Progress
The 8th Pay Commission was first announced in January this year. But since then, there has been no major progress. Employees are waiting for the appointment of key members and the final Terms of Reference (ToR). These are important steps before the commission starts working.
Main Issues Raised
During the meeting, many issues were discussed. These included the delay in forming the commission, pension-related problems, and pending payments.
Here is a summary of the key demands:
| Issue | Demand/Concern |
| Delay in 8th Pay Commission | Immediate setup of the commission |
| National Pension System (NPS) | End NPS and bring back Old Pension Scheme (OPS) |
| Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) | Request to stop UPS |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Release 18 months pending DA (frozen during Covid-19) |
Government’s Assurance
Minister Jitendra Singh assured employee representatives that the 8th Pay Commission will be set up soon. He also fixed a meeting with the Pension Secretary to discuss the demand of restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). This shows that the government is taking these demands seriously.
Why the 8th Pay Commission is Important
A new Pay Commission is formed every ten years. It reviews and revises the pay, allowances, and pensions of central government employees. The last revision was made under the 7th Pay Commission.
The 8th Pay Commission will decide the new salary structure. Employees and pensioners expect an increase in their basic pay, allowances, and pensions. This will directly help in improving their financial stability.
Allowances That May Be Removed
Reports suggest that some old allowances might be discontinued under the 8th Pay Commission. The aim is to make the salary structure simple and rational.
Possible allowances that may be removed include:
- Travel allowance
- Special duty allowance
- Regional allowances
- Departmental allowances like typing or clerical allowance
However, there is no official confirmation yet. The final decision will come after the commission starts its work.
FAQs
What is the 8th Pay Commission?
It is a body to revise salary, pension, and allowances of central government employees.
When will the 8th Pay Commission be set up?
The government has said it will be announced soon.
Will DA arrears be released?
Employees are demanding release of 18 months of DA arrears.
Will OPS come back?
Talks are going on, but no final decision yet.
Which allowances may be removed?
Travel, duty, and some small regional allowances may end.