The 8th Pay Commission is becoming a hot topic among central government employees. Several reports suggest a possible salary hike in the range of ₹7,000 to ₹18,000.
Still, on this matter, there are far too many divergences between official updates and mere speculation. Whereas the employee unions have been arguing for an early time frame for the 8th Pay Commission’s implementation, the government has not yet made any formal announcement.
Is the ₹7,000 – 18,000 Real Salary Hike?
Reports abound that the next Pay Commission could bring considerable increases in basic salaries or increases in the range of ₹7,000 – ₹18,000, depending on the pay scales. On the flip side, however, there have been no official confirmations regarding any new salary structures or fitment factor revisions; hence, it is based more on trends from yesteryears and inflationery assumptions.
The really good increases introduced by the 7th Pay Commission were as a result of a 2.57x fitment factor. If followed in the 8th Pay Commission with a fitment factor of 3.0 or more, some handsome increases for the employees are possible. But numbers until announced officially by government are really just mere speculations.
What Should Employees Expect?
There is no formal calendar for the commencement of the 8th Pay Commission. A section of experts are of the opinion that perhaps the government may introduce some sort of pay revision mechanism rather than a full-fledged Pay Commission, pegged on inflation as well as economic conditions.
Many employee unions have been raising their voices in favor of an early rollout of the 8th Pay Commission, given the rise of living index and the inflation rate. According to sources within the government, however, a decision is expected to be made closer to the end of the current pay cycle.
What Are Workers Expecting?
A likely increase in salaries is on the cards; however, only on receipt of the official announcement will percentages of hike and adjustments in fitment factors become clear. Employees should, therefore, wait for credible announcements from the Finance Ministry instead of relying on unverified news.
For the time being, central government employees are expected to have their ears close to the ground regarding DA hikes, existing salary revision, and future discussions of the 8th Pay Commission, as these parameters will influence the final salary structure.