In an official notice issued by the Ministry of Finance, the Commission invited central government organisations, institutions, associations and unions interested in interacting with the panel during the Bhubaneswar visit to seek appointments online.
Applicants were asked to submit requests along with their unique memorandum ID generated after filing submissions on the Commission’s portal.
The consultations come amid growing demands from employee unions for a significant revision in salaries and pension benefits under the 8th Pay Commission.
Recently, a delegation of the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers met the 8th Pay Commission and submitted a detailed memorandum seeking a minimum monthly salary of ₹69,000 for central government employees. The union also demanded implementation of a 3.83 fitment factor, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), higher House Rent Allowance (HRA), and broader social security benefits.
The fitment factor is the multiplier used to revise employees’ basic salaries whenever a new pay commission is implemented. Under the union’s proposal, the current minimum basic pay of ₹18,000 would increase to nearly ₹69,000 if a 3.83 fitment factor is approved.
The employee body also sought:
- Rationalisation of pay levels to remove anomalies,
- Five financial upgradations during service,
- Increased HRA rates of 40%, 35% and 30% depending on city categories,
- Restoration of welfare advances such as House Building Advance and computer loans,
- Expansion of healthcare coverage under CGHS and ECHS,
- Social security and regularisation policies for contractual and casual workers.
The 8th Pay Commission is currently gathering feedback from stakeholders across the country. The panel is expected to make recommendations affecting nearly 50 lakh central government employees and around 65 lakh pensioners.
Also read | 8th Pay Commission: Central govt employees seek higher HRA, pension reforms
