8th Pay Commission: JCM, AIDEF Submit Responses to 18 Questions, Seek Equity and Transparency in Pay Structure

The drafting committee of the National Council of the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) has submitted its responses to the 18 questions raised by the 8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC), emphasising that the guiding philosophy of the Commission should be equity, transparency and fairness.

The Commission has decided to digitalise its functioning and avoid lengthy memorandums and written submissions. To begin the consultation process, the Commission placed 18 questions on its official portal seeking responses from federations, unions and individuals. Each response has been restricted to 200 words, beyond which the system does not accept submissions.

After a week-long brainstorming exercise, the drafting committee of the National Council of Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) finalised the replies to all the questions and submitted them online. The All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF) has also submitted its responses on the 8th CPC portal.

According to the JCM, the replies address all the issues raised by the Commission from the employees’ perspective, while also keeping in mind the larger principle of “People first and Nation always.”

The federation argued that Central Government employees should be treated honourably, considering their role and commitment towards public service. It also maintained that government employees cannot be equated with private sector or gig workers.

The JCM also highlighted the supreme sacrifices made by personnel of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, railway workers and defence employees while discharging their duties.

In its submissions, the federation reiterated that a family should be treated as a five-unit household for determining minimum pay. It also strongly advocated revision of pensions for pensioners and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

The response also stressed the need for better pay structures for scientists, while opposing contractorisation, corporatisation and fixed-term employment in government establishments. It further emphasised that the government should function as a model and responsible employer.

The JCM also argued that additional expenditure arising from wage revision and pension adjustments would not be a burden on the government, noting that India is now the fourth-largest growing economy in the world.

Speaking to www.indianpsu.com, C. Srikumar, a member of the NC-JCM, said the exercise was challenging due to the strict word limit.

“The questions are quite tricky and the responses had to be restricted to 200 words. We had to take considerable effort to ensure that the answers were comprehensive and robust. The drafting committee has successfully completed the task,” he said.

Srikumar added that the next challenge would be to prepare and submit a detailed memorandum covering issues such as wages, allowances, facilities, pensions, welfare measures, bonus, fitment formula, rate of increment, promotion policy, group insurance, women employees’ issues, sports persons and restoration of Old Pension Scheme.

“Our team is strong and wise enough to do justice to the employees and pensioners and to raise their voice,” he concluded.