Government’s Apathy Towards Central Government Employees and Pensioners Must End: C. Srikumar

OPINION PIECE

Central Government Employees, State Government Employees, and Pensioners across the country are anxiously waiting for the implementation of the recommendations of the 8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC) from 01 January 2026.

On 16 January 2025, just ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the constitution of the 8th CPC. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while briefing the press, stated that the Chairperson and two members of the Commission would be appointed soon.

However, eight months have passed, and the Government has still not issued any formal notification on the constitution of the 8th CPC, its terms of reference, or the timeline for submission of its report. This delay has caused deep unrest among employees and pensioners alike.

Key Questions That Remain Unanswered

• When will the 8th CPC notification be issued?

• What will be its terms of reference?

• What periodicity will it adopt for pay revisions?

• What will be the recommendations on minimum pay and fitment factor?

• Will pensioners be extended the benefit of 8th CPC from 01.01.2026?

Stakeholders’ Concerns

C. Srikumar, Senior Leader of Central Government Employees and Standing Committee Member of the National Council JCM, has strongly criticized the delay, reminding the Government that even in Parliament on 22 July 2025, MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary only stated that “inputs have been sought” from stakeholders including Defence, Home Affairs, DoPT, and State Governments.

Meanwhile, Central Government departments are grappling with a workforce crisis:

• Against a sanctioned strength of 40.35 lakh posts, only about 29 lakh employees are available.

• Employees are overburdened, with each doing the work of at least two.

• There is an undeclared ban on recruitment, even on compassionate grounds.

• Apart from 3% annual increment and DA hikes, no real financial benefits are flowing.

• Promotions and cadre reviews are stalled.

• More than 20 lakh employees are excluded from the guaranteed Old Pension Scheme.

• This delay in the 8th CPC is aggravating the crisis.

Staff Side Demands in Terms of Reference

The National Council JCM (Staff Side) has already submitted detailed proposals, including:

• Minimum Wage as Decent Living Wage – based on 15th ILC (1957), Dr. Aykroyd formula with updated consumption units (3.6), Supreme Court judgments, and inclusion of modern essentials like internet, PC, and smartphones.

• Merger of Non-Viable Pay Levels – e.g., Level-1 with Level-2, Level-3 with Level-4, etc.

• MACP Reforms – at least 3 promotions in service with defined hierarchy.

• Interim Relief – immediate sanction to employees and pensioners.

• DA/DR Merger with Pay & Pension.

• Settlement of 7th CPC Anomalies.

• Improvement in Retirement Benefits – enhanced gratuity, 12-year restoration of commuted pension, parity among pensioners, enhancement every 5 years.

• Restoration of Defined Non-Contributory Pension Scheme under CCS Pension Rules for post-2004 recruits.

Call for Justice

Government employees have been the backbone of administration and production, particularly in Railways and Defence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they kept the system running, often at the cost of their lives, yet their families were not even granted compassionate appointments.

India today boasts of being the 5th largest economy, yet employees and pensioners are denied decent wages and secure pensions. Even the 1915 Islington Commission had recommended that Government employees must be paid enough to live with dignity, while the 7th CPC affirmed that Government service is a “status” and not a mere contract.

The Supreme Court in Bhupendra Nath Hazarika vs. State of Assam cautioned that employees’ hopes must not be guillotined and that the State, as a model employer, must act with fairness and trust.

Pensioners in Distress

Recent amendments to CCS Pension Rules exclude existing pensioners from the benefits of the 8th CPC, applying them only to future pensioners. This is grossly unfair, particularly when most affected are 70+ senior citizens who have already devoted decades of service. With CGHS failing to cover all healthcare needs, they are forced to spend heavily on medical care.

Even today, BSNL pensioners await revision of their pension in line with the 7th CPC, fighting legal battles in their old age.

C. Srikumar urged the Government to immediately:

• Notify the constitution of the 8th CPC,

• Accept the terms of reference submitted by the JCM Staff Side,

• Ensure that recommendations are finalized within one year, and

• Implement them from 01 January 2026 for both employees and pensioners.

“The Government must end its apathy towards its own employees and pensioners. Their legitimate aspirations must be respected, and their right to a decent and dignified life must be ensured.” – C. Srikumar.

Views expressed here are those of C. Srikumar, General Secretary of All India Defence Employees’ Federation and Standing Committee Member of the National Council JCM