New Delhi, Aug 13: Contrary to earlier media reports, the government is likely to raise minimum pay to Rs 20,000 from Rs 18,000 that was recommended by the 7th Pay Commission or 7th CPC. The government may announce hike in minimum pay, beyond the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, with fitment factor 2.80 instead of 2.57 on the Independence Day.

The 7th Pay Commission had proposed to hike minimum pay from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000 per month with fitment factor 2.57 for lower-level central government employees. The recommendation was approved by the Cabinet and came into force from January 1, 2016. Since then, the employees have been demanding to raise minimum pay to Rs 26,000 with fitment factor 3.68.

According to a report of Sen Times, the government plans to raise the minimum pay to Rs 20,000 per month. This came after the Official Side of the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) agreed to address the anomaly of pay matrix in the NAC meeting on July 17. Employees, who receive salaries from pay matrix level 1 to 5, are expected to receive hike in pay.

There has been uncertainity over salary hike beyond the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission Minister of State Finance, P Radhakrishnan's statement in Rajya Sabha.

“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 above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 13, 2018 01:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).