• Source:JND

8th Pay Commission Update: As the 8th Pay Commission progresses further into its consultations phase, where members of the commission are meeting employees and trade organisations across the country, demands raised by the Indian Railway Technical Supervisors' Association (IRTSA) have triggered a significant shift in the 8th Pay Commission consultations. The employee's body has proposed five distinct fitment factors for different pay levels, which seems uncommon from the common fitment factor used in previous commissions, aiming to address the compression of salary gaps between junior and senior staff.

The Proposed Formula And Impact

The IRTSA proposed that the pay commission should consider the fitment factors at 2.92 for Levels 1-5, 3.50 for Levels 6-8, 3.80 for Levels 9-12, 4.09 for Levels 13-16 and 4.38 for Levels 17-18. 

If implemented, senior employees in Levels 17-18 could see basic pay jump from Rs 2.5 lakh to nearly Rs 10.95 lakh–up over 400 per cent from the current level. At the same time, Mid-level staff in Levels 6-8 who earn Rs 45,000 would see their basic salary rise to over Rs 1.5 lakh.

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Earlier, beyond fitment factors, unions have presented various demands, including a minimum basic pay between Rs 69,000 and Rs 72,000. Meanwhile, IRTSA demanded a separate pay structure for technical railway staff, 5 per cent annual increments, and the merger of 50 per cent Dearness Allowance into basic pay before revision.

High Fitment Could Bring Fiscal Concerns 

Though the employees' organisations and industry bodies are proposing a higher fitment factor, their ask raises questions about fiscal sustainability. High fitment factors increase not only current salaries but also pensions, allowances, and long-term liabilities, which means it would bring a big financial burden as well.  Additionally, state governments typically follow the Centre's lead, which will potentially multiply the financial burden.

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8th Pay Commission Continues Consultation Phase

The 8th Pay Commission, led by Justice (Retd) Ranjana Prakash Desai, is currently in an intensive consultation phase. Upcoming visits include Bhubaneswar on July 6 and 7. They have sessions scheduled in Lucknow, Hyderabad, Srinagar, Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir. 

Meanwhile, the final recommendations by the commission will impact over 1.1 crore beneficiaries, including employees and pensioners.


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