7th Pay Commission: After Hopes on Pay Hike Crushed Completely, Gov Employees Likely to Approach Narendra Modi

New Delhi, November 26: After reports emerged that the government had no plans to increase the minimum wage under 7th Pay Commission, hopes of Central government employees were completely crushed. But a large number of government employees who still have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi are trying to meet him soon. (Also Read – 7th Pay Commission: Government Increases Deputation Allowance to Rs 4,500 from Rs 2,000 per month For Employees)

“We have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are sure that he will try to keep a good industrial relation in the country and will fulfil our demands,” said one of the union member on the condition of anonymity.

Earlier this week a Business Standard report said that there are slim chances of the government revising the minimum basic pay are true. The government staff unions have been demanding that their minimum pay is hiked to Rs 26,000 from Rs 18,000 that was defined on recommendations from 7th Central Pay Commission.

A report quoted Finance Ministry sources stated that the government has no plans to make any changes to the minimum basic pay for central government employees with reference to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) letter to Staff Side, National Council (JCM) dated October 30, 2017.

The letter further stated that the minimum wage decided by the 7th Pay Commission does not qualify as an anomaly as per the parameters set by the National Anomaly Committee (NAC).

The NAC had also laid down three conditions for an item to be considered an anomaly arising on account of recommendations from the 7th Pay Commission.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had earlier suggested that a hike in minimum basic pay for central government employees was in offing. With NAC setting aside the matter completely, the Union Cabinet is unlike to take a decision on changing the minimum basic pay for central government employees either.

Earlier this month several employee unions had also staged a three-day massive protest in front of the Parliament against the delay in minimum wage hike.

The 7th Pay Commission had also decided on a fitment factor of 2.57 which resulted in the minimum basic pay increasing from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000 with effect from January 1, 2016.

The NJCA on the other hand, have been demanding the fitment factor to be bumped up to 3.7 so that the minimum wages are raised to Rs 26,000. Expressing dissatisfaction over the methodology to calculate the minimum wages, the Staff Side had even asked for the pay matrix to be alerted.

Meanwhile, there is still a chance for an increase in minimum pension of retired central government employees. The same NAC letter also asks the government employees to take up the matter with Director of Pension as the matter falls under his purview.