8th CPC: 5 family units may take minimum pay to 48K

The 8th Pay Commission is currently preparing its report of recommendations and one of the key demands is to increase the number of family units. The National Council of the Joint Consultative Machinery, a main body representing central government employees, has submitted a memorandum demanding that the minimum basic salary increase from Rs 18,000 to Rs 69,000. A higher number of family units, specifically up to five, is seen as a significant factor in boosting salaries.

The All India Defence Employees (AIDEF), All India New Pension Scheme Employees Federation (AINPSEF), and Federation of National Postal Organisations (FNPO) have also demanded an increase in the family units to five. With this proposed change, the minimum pay could rise to Rs 69,000.

Organisation Manjeet Singh Patel, president of AINPSEF, explained that parents of an employee were not counted as family units in the 7th Pay Commission, resulting in three units instead of the current range of 3 to 5. This change would give employees more responsibility in taking care of their parents.

Patel shared a calculation showing how the fitment factor may reach 2.66 if five family units are considered in the 8th Pay Commission's report. Using a Level 1 employee as an example, the calculation demonstrates that the increase in minimum basic pay would be Rs 19,560, which is a 108% raise from the 7th CPC basic pay of Rs 18,000. With a fitment factor of 2.66, the Rs 18,000 minimum basic pay could potentially increase to Rs 48,000.