7th Pay Commission: Hike in Minimum Pay, Fitment Factor to be Further Delayed?

New Delhi, July 30: There could be more delay in announcement of a hike in minimum pay and fitment factor beyond the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission or 7th CPC. A latest news report said there are few issues related to salary hike beyond the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission that are yet to be resolved between the government and employees.

There was a report which claimed that the government had agreed to raise minimum pay and fitment factor beyond the 7th Pay Commission recommendations and the crucial announcement would be made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15. "There is no decision made to increase the basic minimum pay from Rs 18,000," an OneIndia report said.

"While deliberations continue, there are still several issues that have to be resolved. Going by the pace at which the deliberations are taking place, it may be difficult for the government to make any announcement in August," the report added. The government, in March, had said that it wasn’t considering raising minimum pay and fitment factor beyond the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.

“The minimum pay of Rs.18,000/- p.m. and fitment factor of 2.57 are based on the specific recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission in the light of the relevant factors taken into account by it. Therefore, no change therein is at present under consideration,” Minister of State Finance, P Radhakrishnan told Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

The 7th Pay Commission had recommended a 14.27 per cent hike in basic pay, increasing minimum pay from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000 per month for central government employees. However, central government employees have been asking to raise minimum pay to Rs 26,000 and fitment factor 3.68 times from 2.57 times.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2018 02:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).