An important discussion is underway regarding the 8th Pay Commission for central government employees and pensioners. This commission is expected to increase the salaries of government employees. Furthermore, pensions for retired employees may also increase. Therefore, both current employees and pensioners are focused on the 8th Pay Commission. According to some reports, it is estimated that retired employees currently receiving a pension of ₹25,000 could see their pension increase to ₹87,500.

The government will take a decision only after the report comes.
The 8th Pay Commission is currently in talks with employee unions. In these talks, various demands are being made regarding increasing the salaries, dearness allowance and pension of the employees. The commission's team visited Mumbai in October. Earlier, on August 10, while answering a question asked in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary had said that the commission has not yet submitted its report. Therefore, no final decision has been taken yet regarding how much the salary will increase, how much the pension will increase and when the new salary will be implemented.

What is the demand for the 3.83 fitment factor?
Employee unions have placed some important demands before the 8th Pay Commission. These include a minimum basic salary of ₹69,000 and the implementation of a fitment factor of 3.833. What is the fitment factor? Simply put, the fitment factor determines how many times the current basic salary should be increased. Therefore, the higher the fitment factor, the greater the possible increase in basic salary. Currently, various figures such as 2.57, 2.86, 3.00, and 3.15 are being discussed. However, the government has not yet decided on a fitment factor.

How will a pension of Rs 25,000 become Rs 87,500?
Currently, there is debate among pensioners about whether the Rs 25,000 pension should be increased to Rs 87,500. Some reports have estimated this based on a fitment factor of 3.5. That is, a person with a basic pension of Rs 25,000 could receive Rs 87,500 with a fitment factor of 3.5. However, this is only a potential increase. The government has not yet approved it.

Will there be an increase in dearness allowance?
Demands are being made before the 8th Pay Commission for an increase in dearness allowance (DA). Currently, rising inflation is increasing employee expenses. Therefore, employee organizations are demanding a fair increase in dearness allowance along with salaries.

PC: Amar Ujala