The Union Budget 2024-25 is set to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 23 July, there are demands coming in from various sections. The Cabinet Secretary comprising of 7 demands, including the immediate constitution of the 8th Pay Commission and the release of the 18-month arrears of the COVID-19 period are the proposal sent by central government employee union on this budget.
Central Govt Staff Seek Higher Pay, Pension Changes, Filling of Vacancies in Pre-Budget Push
On 6th July in a letter to the Cabinet Secretary, the Alliance of Central Government Employees and Workers has made various demands ahead of the Budget 2024:
1) Instant Constitution of the 8th Pay Commission.
2) Restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), Scrap the New Pension Scheme (NPS) for all employees.
3)Release the 18-month DA/DR withheld during the COVID-19 pandemic for both employees and pensioners. Additionally, allow pensioners to reclaim the commuted portion of their pension after 12 years, instead of the current 15-year wait
4) Grant compassionate appointments to all the wards/ dependents of the deceased employee, remove the 5 per cent ceiling on the compassionate meeting.
5) Full up all vacant posts of all the small group in all departments, stop outsourcing and contractorisation in government sectors.
6) make sure the democratic operating of association/ federations as per supply of JCM mechanism.
(A)Process and approve pending applications for recognition from associations/federations, including those previously de-recognized like Postal Group C Union, NFPE, and ISROSA.
(B) Ensure service associations/federations can function effectively by removing Rule 15 1(c).
The confederation will also conduct a demonstration for these demands on July 19, during the lunch hours.
General secretary of the Confederation S B Yadav says that We want the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission from January 2026. For this, the commission has to be constituted
straight away.
DA Increase May Exceed 50% Limit for Central Govt. Employees
From July 1, 2024, The central government is likely to announce the DA hike for the existing 7th Pay Commission employees in the first half of September, which will become effective.
In the upcoming DA, Employees expect a hike of 3-4 percent.
When questioned about the possibility of a DA increase exceeding the current 50% limit of basic salary, a labour affairs specialist clarified, “There is no restriction on the government raising the DA beyond 50%. In fact, the DA reached a peak of 170% under the 4th Pay Commission. However, the government offered additional relief measures at that time.”
