New Delhi: The National Council–Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM), representing central government employees, announced on Thursday that it is preparing for salary negotiations as the 8th Pay Commission is yet to be formally constituted.

According to a report by NDTV Profit, the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the commission, setting the framework for new pay structures, are expected to be approved by the Centre by the end of August.

The NC-JCM has proposed that the new commission calculate the minimum wage based on a five-unit family model that includes ageing parents, instead of the current model, which only accounts for three family members. At present, under the 7th Pay Commission, the earning husband is counted as one unit, the wife as 0.8 units, and two children as 0.6 units each.

Employee representatives argue that supporting parents is not only a moral duty but also a legal responsibility under Indian law.

The staff side of NC-JCM has further called for the merger of unviable pay scales to prevent stagnation in career progression, which indirectly affects the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) scheme. It has suggested merging pay scale level 1 with level 2, level 3 with level 4, and level 5 with level 6.

Additionally, the forum has sought the restoration of commuted portions of pensions after 12 years and pressed for implementation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee’s recommendation to enhance pensions every five years.

As per precedent, the Pay Commission’s recommendations are usually submitted to the government within around 18 months, followed by another three to nine months before final approval is issued. The fiscal impact of the 8th Pay Commission is estimated at ₹2.4–3.2 lakh crore, according to Kotak Institutional Equities.

The NC-JCM functions as a formal platform for dialogue between the central government and employee unions to address staff concerns effectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IANS inputs