Report by Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent
The Staff Side of the National Council (JCM), representing central government employees, formally submitted a detailed memorandum to the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC). The demands relate to pay structure, allowances, service conditions, and retirement benefits. As per the National Council (Staff Side), the memorandum has been prepared following extensive consultations and deliberations among various workers’ organisations of the Central Government employees and pensioners.
The Memorandum has demanded that wages should ensure a decent standard of living, not mere subsistence. (Memorandum attached)
Here below is the summary of the major demands submitted to the CPC:
Wages and Pay Structure
- Minimum wage of ₹26,000 based on revised consumption norms;
- Adoption of 3490 Kcal nutrition standard;
- Fitment factor of 3.833 for revising pay and pensions;
- Annual increment to be increased from 3% to 6%;
- Rationalisation of pay levels through merger of multiple pay scales;
- Reduction in pay disparities with a suggested ratio of 1:12 between minimum and maximum pay;
- DA should be revised every 6 months;
- Merge DA with basic pay once it crosses 25%;
- Revised HRA rates proposed are 40% for X category cities, 35% for Y category cities and 30% for Z category cities. HRA should also be indexed to DA for automatic revision.
- Transport Allowance: To be increased three times and linked with DA;
- Daily Allowance: To be Increased by three times;
- Risk & Hardship Allowance: To be minimum ₹10,000 per month;
- Children Education Allowance: To be increased to ₹10,000 per child per month;
- Night Duty Allowance must be based on actual Basic Pay + DA without ceiling;
- Extension of Performance Related Incentive Schemes (PRIS) across departments;
- Removal of bonus ceiling;
- Bonus to be calculated on actual pay instead of capped amounts.
Leave and Medical:
- Casual Leave increased to 12 days;
- Earned Leave encashment up to 600 days;
- Maternity Leave increased to 240 days;
- Introduction of Menstrual Leave (3 days per month);
- 60 days Parent Care Leave;
- LTC to home town once every year;
- Flexibility for travel within India;
- LTC abroad proposed for employees nearing retirement;
- Expansion of CGHS wellness centres to more cities;
- Cashless treatment facilities;
- Removal of contribution requirements for pensioners;
- Increase in Fixed Medical Allowance to ₹5,000 per month.
Career Progression:
- Minimum 5 promotions in a 30-year career;
- Time-bound financial upgradations at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 years;
- Filling up of nearly 1.5 lakh vacant posts.
Retirement Benefits and Pension:
- Gratuity ceiling: To be increased to ₹75 lakh;
- Calculation to be based on 26 days per month instead of 30;
- Extension of revised benefits to NPS and UPS employees;
- Extension of One Rank One Pension (OROP) principle to civilian employees;
- Restoration period for commutation of pension to be reduced to 12 years (or 11 years) instead of 15 years;
- Age-based enhancement in pension: 65 years: 70% of last pay drawn; 70 years: 75%; 75 years: 80%; 80 years: 85%; 85 years: 90%; 90 years: 100%;
- Option to revert to Old Pension Scheme (OPS);
- Restoration of defined benefit pension system;
- Removal of disparities between NPS and OPS employees.
The memorandum has pleaded that government expenditure on employees should be viewed as an investment in governance, not a burden.