The actual workings of the 8th CPC are under gradual progress, with the Government having undertaken steps on critical issues pertaining to the Terms of Reference (ToR) and the minimum wage proposal. To this extent, the Government has taken this huge and historic step to redress the prognosis before the central govt. servants and pensioners in terms of the salary structure, since millions of beneficiaries all over the country are expected to get benefited.
What Is The 8th Pay Commission?
Pay Commissions are appointed periodically to review and revise the salary of every Central Government employee; along with that, pension benefits are fixed; such was the case with the 7th Pay Commission, which was in force in 2016. Most Pay Commissions run on a 10-year cycle, so the 8th Pay Commission was to be implemented around 2026, but it now seems that the work toward the same is underway far ahead of that.
Minimum Wage Proposal In Limelight
The issue that is under discussion as far as the impending 8th PC is that of revision of minimum wages. The lowest basic pay at present is ₹18,000 as per the recommendation of the 7th CPC. Demand had been made by employee unions time and again to increase this to ₹26,000 and above in view of inflation and an ever increased cost of living. These issues would certainly be discussed with the coming of the new pay commission when they look at wage structures to ensure relevant and sustainable remuneration.
Terms Of Reference (ToR) Under Review
Before the constitution of the 8th Pay Commission, the Government is trying to firm up the Terms of Reference-with guidelines defining the scope, responsibilities, and key deliverables of the commission. The ToR generally involves pay structure, allowance, and pension revisions, performance incentives, and the implications for government finances.
What’s Next For Employees?
With preliminary discussions on ToR and wage revision gathering momentum, the employee and pensioner communities are hopeful software implementation or, at the bare minimum, timely rollout at an earlier date. There has been no official announcement made concerning the formation of the commission, but with the way things stand, the government seems to be heading in that direction.
Also Read:Govt Plans To Raise Retirement Age: Key Update For Central Employees