8th Pay Commission: From DA merger to OPS comeback, 7 key demands raised by govt employee unions at NC-JCM meeting

The 49th annual meeting of the National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery (NC- JCM) focused on major concerns of central government employees. Issues related to the 8th Pay Commission, pension benefits, promotions, staff shortages, and policy delays dominated discussions.

The staff side informed the government that it has already submitted its demands for the 8th Pay Commission. Key requests include a better fitment factor, higher minimum salary, improved promotion rules, and revised annual increments. Employee representatives also asked the government to include pension revision for existing pensioners and consider restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

Employee representatives raised concern over the growing number of service- related cases pending in tribunals, high courts, and the Supreme Court. They said ministries are increasingly filing appeals and review petitions, delaying justice for employees. The staff side urged the government to apply court decisions uniformly in similar cases to reduce unnecessary litigation and employee stress.

The government had converted 41 ordnance factories into seven defence public sector companies, with employees currently working on deemed deputation. Employee unions requested an extension of this arrangement to protect service conditions and job security. According to staff representatives, the Cabinet Secretary agreed to recommend extending deputation benefits for these employees until retirement.

The staff side said that AIIMS institutions are not properly following the Department of Personnel and Training’s policy on posting spouses at the same location. Employees claimed this is causing serious family hardships, especially for women workers. Representatives requested the government to issue clear instructions making the policy mandatory across all AIIMS institutions nationwide.

Employee representatives highlighted that several arbitration awards linked to employees and pensioners remain pending for years without implementation. They urged the Cabinet Secretary to ensure these awards are executed quickly based on proposals already submitted to the government. According to the staff side, delayed implementation is creating frustration among retired and serving employees.

The staff side criticised Rule 10 of the CCS (RP) Rules 2016, which requires employees to complete six months after promotion to qualify for the next increment. Representatives argued that even a one-day “dies-non” period can delay increments unfairly. They demanded replacing the six-month condition with a more flexible 180- day calculation.

Employee unions said departments such as Railways are facing rising workloads and expanding projects without enough new recruitment. According to representatives, staff shortages are affecting work quality and increasing pressure on existing employees. They opposed outsourcing and privatisation measures and demanded that all vacant posts be filled through permanent recruitment.