8th Pay Commission holds meetings to discuss salary and pension hikes

The 8th Pay Commission is conducting nationwide consultations to draft recommendations for central government employee salaries and pensions. Following meetings in 14 locations, including Chennai, Puducherry, and Chandigarh, the commission is scheduled to meet in Bengaluru on October 7 and 8.

Employee and pensioner organizations are advocating for significant adjustments. The All India Defence Employees Federation and the National Council of the Joint Consultative Machinery have requested that the minimum pension be set at 67% of the final salary, with a family pension of 50%. Additionally, the Bharat Pensioners Samaj is seeking a minimum pension of Rs 45,000.

Projections for pension increases depend on the applied fitment factor. Under a factor of 2.57, Level 9 employees could see minimum pensions reach Rs 68,234. Organizations are also urging the government to expand the commission's scope to include those retiring before January 1, 2026, to ensure broader benefits.