If you're a government employee, this is very important news for you. The Eighth Pay Commission for Central Government Employees is currently hearing demands from various employee organizations, unions, and institutions. The commission's two-day meeting in Chandigarh concluded on September 18th, and the relevant parties will now meet in Bengaluru on October 7th and 8th. These meetings are discussing employee demands related to salary, allowances, and service.

Following a meeting in Chandigarh, representatives from the Nurses Welfare Association (NWA) and PGIMER expressed positive optimism about their demands. The organizations said that if their demands are approved, more than 300,000 nursing staff working in central government hospitals, AIIMS, ESIC, and other healthcare institutions could benefit.

A demand has been raised to implement a Level 10 entry-level pay for nursing officers. This demand is made in light of the increased eligibility requirements for BSc Nursing compared to GNM. Furthermore, a demand has been made to grant nursing officers positions and pay scales equivalent to those of the Military Nursing Service.

Additionally, a dedicated night duty allowance, risk and hardship allowance under the R1H1 matrix, term insurance, and health insurance are demanded for all nursing officers. Chandigarh is also demanded to be included in the A1 category for the calculation of HRA and TA. Additionally, demands include increases in nursing, dress, and special allowances, the reinstatement of the old pension scheme, and an increase in annual increments from 3% to 5%.

Nursing staff at PGIMER have demanded a fitment factor of 3.25. The 7th Pay Commission set a fitment factor of 2.57. The organizations argue that a higher fitment factor is essential for employees given rising inflation and the ever-increasing costs of house rent, children's education, and healthcare.

However, the final recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission or the new fitment factor have not yet been finalized. Therefore, the actual salary increase will depend on the Commission's final recommendations and the government's subsequent decision.

PC: Till today