7th Pay Commission: Will Revised Salary of Judges Delay Hike in Minimum Pay, Fitment Factor?

7th Pay Commission: Will Revised Salary of Judges Delay Hike in Minimum Pay, Fitment Factor?

New Delhi, Nov 23: Based on the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission or 7th CPC, the government on Wednesday approved revision in the salaries, gratuity, allowances and pensions of the judges of the Supreme Court, High Courts and those who have retired. The major decision came at a time when the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) is going to submit its reports on anomalies in the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission‘s recommendations.

While the central government employees have been waiting to see any positive development regarding a hike in minimum pay and fitment factor beyond the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission, the decision to raise the salaries of judges may delay the announcement on higher minimum pay. Speaking to India.com, a source within central government employees’ union said the government deliberately delayed the hike in minimum pay beyond the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission and saved nearly 26,000 crores.

“Eighteen months ago the government had assured us to increase the minimum wage from Rs 18,000 per month to Rs 21,000. According to a rough calculation the government, every month is saving Rs 3,000 per month on each employee and if the figure is calculated with 18 months and 48 lakh central government employees, the figure reaches close to Rs 26,000 crore. This much has been saved by the government in last 18 months,” the source said.

The 7th Pay Commission was poised to have cost the Centre Rs 1.02 lakh crore. After clearing hike in the salaries of judges as per the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission, the government may delay the implementation of the higher minimum pay to save more money. If media reports are to be believed, the government is likely to raise the minimum pay to Rs 21,000 from Rs 18,000, which was recommended by the 7th Pay Commission and approved by the Cabinet. The higher minimum pay would be released from April 2018.

However, the central government employees have been asking to raise minimum pay to Rs 26,000 and fitment factor 3.68 times from 2.57 times. The government had approved recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission on a hike in salary and allowances in June 2016 and July 2017 respectively. The 7th Pay Commission had recommended a 14.27 percent hike in basic pay — the lowest in 70 years, raising minimum pay from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000 month.

Meanwhile, a top leader of a central government employees’ union asked the Centre to raise minimum pay beyond the recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission or face backlash.