New Delhi. The expectations of central employees as well as pensioners have increased regarding the 8th Pay Commission. Employees and pensioner organizations are placing before the Commission several demands for improvement in the financial benefits received after retirement. If these proposals are agreed upon, lakhs of pensioners may get relief. However, these demands are yet to get final approval.
1. Demand to increase minimum pension
The main demand of pensioner organizations is a big increase in the minimum pension. Some organizations have proposed to increase the existing minimum basic pension to Rs 45 thousand. If the government accepts such demand then retired employees getting less pension can get huge benefit.
2. Change in pension based on last salary
There is also a demand for change in the rules for calculating pension. A proposal has come forward from employee organizations to increase the full pension to 67 percent of the last basic salary. However, this is a demand at present and the final decision on this will be taken only after the recommendations of the government and the commission.
3. Proposal to increase the limit of leave encashment
There is also a demand for relief regarding the amount to be received in lieu of the remaining earned leave at the time of retirement. Employee organizations have suggested increasing the existing limit of 300 days. If the proposal is accepted, the lump sum amount received at the time of retirement may increase.
4. Relief on pension commutation
Employees who commute pension currently have to wait a long time for their full pension to be restored. Pensioner organizations have demanded to reduce this period. According to the proposal, it has been said that it will be done for about 11 to 12 years. This may pave the way for the pensioners concerned to get their full pension earlier.
5. Demand for improvement in medical facilities
There has also been a demand to increase the fixed medical allowance for pensioners living in non-CGHS areas. The organizations have suggested a substantial increase in the existing amount to provide better and cashless treatment facilities in remote areas.
still waiting for the decision
These five points should be seen as proposals and demands for now. Only after the final recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission and the government's decision, it will be clear how much benefit the pensioners will actually get. Therefore, it would not be right to consider any fixed pension increase or amount as a government decision right now.