8th Pay Commission: Speculation is rife about the new pay commission. According to various reports, while the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission will increase the salaries of central government employees, the rate of increase may be lower than that of the 7th Pay Commission. This news has left many government employees somewhat concerned. Let’s delve into all the related information in detail.
The Main Discussion is About the Fitment Factor
Primarily, the most discussion is centered around the Fitment Factor. In the 7th Pay Commission, the fitment factor was 2.57, meaning the salary was increased by 2.57 times the basic pay. However, according to various sources, it is feared that this fitment factor might be reduced to 1.8 in the 8th Pay Commission. If this turns out to be true, the rate of salary increase for employees will be significantly lower.
- Impact on Basic Pay: If the fitment factor is 1.8, the basic pay of employees will increase by 80%. For example, if the current minimum basic pay is Rs 18,000, it could rise to around Rs 32,000.
- Rate of Salary Hike: While the salary increased by about 14.3% in the 7th Pay Commission, it is expected that this increase could be around 13% in the 8th Pay Commission.
DA Reset and Its Impact
Once the new pay commission is implemented, the current Dearness Allowance (DA) will be reset to zero. The current DA is 55%. This DA will be merged with the basic pay, but it will start from zero in the new pay structure. As a result, even though the basic pay increases, the in-hand salary might not see a substantial hike. This is the main cause of concern for the employees.
Demands of the Employee Unions
Various government employee unions have strongly opposed the proposed 1.8 fitment factor. They demand that the fitment factor should be at least equal to that of the 7th Pay Commission, i.e., 2.57 or higher. It is expected that their discussions with the government on this matter will continue.
When Can the 8th Pay Commission Be Implemented?
Generally, a new pay commission is constituted every ten years. Accordingly, the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission are likely to be implemented around 2026. The commission may be formally constituted in the coming months.
Conclusion
Although various reports suggest a lower salary hike in the 8th Pay Commission, no final decision has been made yet. The actual picture will become clear only after discussions between the employee unions and the government. The decision of this pay commission is extremely important for the future of government employees. Therefore, it is essential to keep an eye on all the updates.
