8th Pay Commission: Pensioners Demand Major Changes in ToR, Urge Govt to Include OPS and Scrap ‘Unfunded Cost’ Term!
8th Central Pay Commission: The Bharat Pensioners’ Samaj (BPS), a prominent federation representing lakhs of Central Government pensioners, has formally appealed to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. In a detailed letter, the BPS has requested significant amendments to the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the newly constituted 8th Central Pay Commission, raising critical concerns about the welfare and rights of both current and future retirees.
The organization has outlined several key proposals to ensure the 8th CPC’s recommendations are just and comprehensive, addressing long-standing issues faced by the pensioner community.
Inclusion of Pension Revision and Deletion of Objectionable Terminology
A major point of contention for the BPS is the language used in the ToR, particularly the phrase “unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes.” The BPS has strongly urged for its deletion, arguing that it incorrectly portrays constitutionally guaranteed pension as a mere fiscal liability.
Citing landmark Supreme Court judgments, including the D.S. Nakara case, the letter reiterates that pension is “not a bounty but a right” and a measure of socio-economic justice. The BPS points out the discriminatory nature of this terminology, noting it is never used for the pensions of MPs or judges.
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Join on TelegramTo ensure clarity and fairness, the BPS has proposed the inclusion of a specific clause in the ToR:
- “To examine the principles which should govern the structure of pension and other retirement benefits, including revision of pension, parity in pension in the case of employees who have retired on any date (i.e., those who retired before 01.01.2026 or after 01.01.2026).”
Demand for OPS Restoration and Fixed Implementation Date
Reflecting a widespread demand among government employees, the BPS has called for the 8th CPC to be mandated to examine the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for the nearly 26 lakh employees under the National Pension Scheme (NPS).
Furthermore, the BPS has requested that the implementation date for the 8th CPC’s recommendations be formally set as 01.01.2026. This aligns with the established ten-year cycle of previous pay commissions.
| Pay Commission | Implementation Date |
|---|---|
| 4th CPC | 01.01.1986 |
| 5th CPC | 01.01.1996 |
| 6th CPC | 01.01.2006 |
| 7th CPC | 01.01.2016 |
Other Key Demands and Requests
The letter also includes several other crucial requests to broaden the scope and impact of the pay commission:
- Interim Relief: An immediate grant of 20% Interim Relief to offset inflation and delays in the commission’s implementation.
- Comprehensive Health Schemes: A review of existing health schemes to ensure cashless, hassle-free medical treatment and the expansion of CGHS Wellness Centres.
- Extended Coverage: The benefits of the 8th CPC should be extended to employees of centrally funded Autonomous Bodies, Statutory Bodies, and the Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS).
The Bharat Pensioners’ Samaj has expressed confidence that the government will consider these proposals to ensure the financial security and dignity of the millions of employees and pensioners who have dedicated their lives to serving the nation.
