New Delhi. The wait for the 8th Pay Commission is increasing for central government employees and pensioners. Nearly 10 months have passed since the formation of the Commission and the process of consultation with all stakeholders is underway. In such a situation, the biggest question among the employees is that what will be the new basic salary issued by the government and how much will be the fitment factor decided?
The 8th Pay Commission is headed by Justice (Retd) Ranjana Prakash Desai. Let us tell you that the commission has been given 18 months time to give its recommendations. Many important issues to salary, allowances and pension have to be seriously considered, but the most discussed among all these is the fitment factor.
First understand what is fitment factor
Fitment factor is the coefficient on the basis of which the new basic salary i.e. basic salary is determined by revising the existing basic salary. Therefore, the higher the fitment factor, the bigger the impact will be on the revised basic pay of the employees.
At present the minimum basic pay of central employees is Rs 18,000. It was decided on the basis of the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.
The fitment factor in the 7th Pay Commission was 2.57 and earlier in the 6th Pay Commission it was fixed at 1.86.
Now, regarding the 8th Pay Commission, employee and pensioner organizations are continuously demanding a higher fitment factor.
If 3.61 factor is applied on Rs 18,000 basic, what will be the salary?
The Ministerial Staff Association (MSA) of Survey of India has demanded a fitment factor of 3.61.
If this factor is accepted then based on the current minimum basic salary of Rs 18,000, the revised basic salary can be around Rs 64,980, i.e. around Rs 65,000.
That means, according to the proposal, there could be a difference of around Rs 46,980 in the basic pay.
Basic around 69 thousand at 3.833 fitment factor
National Council-JCM Staff Side and Bharat Pensioners' Society have demanded a fitment factor of 3.833. At the current minimum basic pay of Rs 18,000, the revised basic based on this factor may reach around Rs 69,000. It is also important to note that this is only an estimate based on demand and not the final salary.
Demand for 4.00 fitment factor, basic can reach ₹ 72 thousand
Let us tell you that Bharatiya Immunity Mazdoor Sangh has placed the highest demand of 4.00 fitment factor.
If the government accepts this proposal then the current minimum basic of Rs 18,000 may become around Rs 72,000.
Thus, there is a difference of about Rs 7,020 per month in minimum basic pay between the proposals of 3.61 and 4.00 fitment factor.
What will this mean for your salary?
It is very important to understand one thing here. Do not consider Rs 65,000, Rs 69,000 or Rs 72,000 as your salary.
These figures are arrived at by simply applying the different proposed fitment factors to the existing minimum basic of Rs 18,000. The actual monthly salary of the employee will be different from this, because apart from the basic pay, dearness allowance and other allowances are also included in the salary.
After the final recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission, the actual salary will be known only after taking into account the new pay matrix and other factors.
Why is fitment factor important for pensioners also?
The effect of fitment factor is not limited to only working employees. Pensions and many retirement benefits are linked to the basic salary.
Therefore, if relatively higher fitment factor is approved then pensioners can also get its benefit. However, how much their actual pension will increase will be clear only after the final rules and recommendations of the Commission.
How long will we have to wait now?
At present, different demands are being placed before the Commission on behalf of employee organizations and pensioner organizations. The picture on the fitment factor will be clear only after the commission's process is completed and the report is submitted to the government.
Therefore, it would not be correct to consider 65 thousand, 69 thousand or 72 thousand as the salary fixed by the 8th Pay Commission.
The final increment will not be decided by fitment factor alone. This will also play a role in the new pay matrix, dearness allowance, other allowances and the final recommendations of the commission.
understand at a glance
| Proposed Fitment Factor | New Basic estimated at Rs 18,000 |
|---|---|
| 3.61 | Rs 64,980 i.e. around Rs 65,000 |
| 3.833 | around 69,000 rupees |
| 4.00 | Rs 72,000 |
