Srinagar, May 27: The 8th Pay Commission discussions have sparked nationwide attention as government employee unions push for significant salary and pension revisions. One of the biggest proposals has come from the Indian Railway Technical Supervisors’ Association (IRTSA), which has suggested a new fitment factor system that could increase salaries by up to 400% for some senior employees.
Unlike previous pay commissions that used a single fitment factor for all employees, the association has proposed different multipliers for different pay levels. Under the proposal, employees in Levels 1–5 would receive a fitment factor of 2.92, Levels 6–8 would get 3.50, Levels 9–12 would receive 3.80, Levels 13–16 would get 4.09, while Levels 17–18 could receive 4.38.
If implemented at all, the salary impact could be massive. A senior employee earning a basic pay of ₹2.5 lakh could see it rise to nearly ₹10.95 lakh, while a mid-level employee with a ₹45,000 basic salary could see it increase to around ₹1.57 lakh.
The fitment factor is the multiplier used to revise salaries under a Pay Commission. The 7th Pay Commission had fixed it at 2.57, but employee unions are now demanding much higher revisions, arguing that rising inflation and living costs require stronger compensation.
Apart from salary hikes, unions are also demanding faster promotions, annual increments of 5%, a separate pay structure for technical railway staff, and the merger of 50% Dearness Allowance (DA) into basic pay before salary calculations are made.
The discussions have also revived the debate around the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). While many unions continue to demand its restoration, some are now seeking “OPS-like” protections under the National Pension System (NPS), including guaranteed pensions and DA-linked benefits.
However, the government faces a major challenge in balancing employee expectations with financial realities. Higher salaries would also increase pensions, allowances, arrears, and long-term retirement liabilities, putting additional pressure on government finances.
The 8th Pay Commission, headed by Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Prakash Desai, is currently holding consultations with employee unions and pensioner groups across the country. Its recommendations are expected to impact more than 1.1 crore central government employees, pensioners, and their families. (with inputs from agencies)
