Budget 2025: Can we expect the 8th Pay Commission this time? Will they give a sweet message to the employees?

Arguments concerning the much-awaited 8th pay commission are getting hot as the budget 2025 becomes ready. Government workers all throughout the nation are increasing demand for its creation. Many are wondering whether there would be any encouraging government news on this front as only few weeks remains before Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman releases the budget 2025 allocations.

Nearly ten years after the last review, the 7th Pay Commission was set up in February 2016. To handle problems like inflation and pay changes, several employee groups have been relentlessly pushing the establishment of the 8th Pay Commission.

However, the government has not provided any clarity so far on constituting the new pay commission. In fact, the finance ministry recently said that it has no current plans to implement the 8th Pay Commission. Hence, the question still arises for employees: “Will they announce the 8th Pay Commission in this budget or not?”

As per the reports, the pay commission recommends minimum basic pay; if the central government agrees to change the fitment factor to 2.86, then central government employees should get an increase in their minimum salary. While such a move would likely be a welcome step for employees grappling with soaring inflation, it could pose new financial burdens for the government.

In December, the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to set up the 8th Pay Commission without any delay. The employees expect that the commission if implemented will provide facilities like higher salaries, pensions, and Dearness Allowance (DA).

There is also speculation that the government may fare away from the traditional pay commission route and opt for a performance-based appraisal system that is largely used by private sector organizations. This could take into account things like employee performance and inflation when raising salaries each year.

All eyes will be on the Budget 2025 as February 1 draws near, much awaited clarity on whether the government will meet this long-standing demand or investigate alternate options. This remains a sweet hope for government employees and one sweet message regarding the announcement of the 8th Pay Commission.