8th Pay Commission: Finally New Pay Commission Formed to Increase Salary of Government Employees, Centre Issues Gazette

8th Pay Commission: A piece of extremely positive news has emerged for Central Government employees and teachers. Recently, the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance has issued a gazette notification regarding the Pay Commission. This announcement is not just a procedural formality but a significant step towards the anticipated financial betterment for lakhs of government employees and their families across the country. The publication of this gazette confirms that the process of determining the new pay structure has officially begun.

What Does the Gazette Notification Say?

The resolution issued by the Union Finance Ministry clearly states that the formation of the Pay Commission is complete, and its members and terms of reference have been finalized. This move paves the way for a comprehensive review of the salaries, allowances, and other benefits for government employees.

The commission will be chaired by Justice Smt. Ranjana Prakash Desai. Additionally, Professor Pulak Ghosh will serve as a Member (Part-time), and Shri Pankaj Jain has been appointed as the Member Secretary.

Who is Covered by This Pay Commission?

This pay commission will primarily be applicable to employees working in various departments under the Central Government. The personnel covered include:

• Central Government Employees (both Industrial and Non-Industrial)
• All India Services personnel
• Defence Services personnel
• Employees and Officers of Union Territories
• Officers and staff of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department
• Staff of the Supreme Court and High Courts of Union Territories

Key Areas for Review

The primary mandate of the commission is to review the existing structure of emoluments and other financial benefits for government employees and recommend revisions. The key actionable insights include:

• Salary Structure: Restructuring the current pay framework.
• Bonus: Reviewing the rates and regulations for bonuses.
• Gratuity and Retirement Benefits: Revising gratuity and other post-retirement benefits.

Why is This Notification Important for State Employees?

Although this notification is not directly applicable to state government employees, such as those in West Bengal, its implications are far-reaching. Historically, after the implementation of a central pay commission, state governments tend to form their own pay commissions or adopt the central structure to revise salaries. Notably, the gazette notification explicitly requests the “Fullest Cooperation and Assistance” from all State Governments. This indicates that the Centre’s decision is bound to influence state employees, potentially adding momentum to their demands regarding Dearness Allowance (DA) or a new pay scale.

Timeline and Next Steps

The commission has been given a timeframe of 18 months to complete its work and submit its recommendations. This means a clear picture of the new pay structure will emerge within the next year and a half. Employees should now keep a close watch on the commission’s progress and prepare to voice their demands and provide necessary information through their respective service associations.