8th Pay Commission: Railway employees may receive good news under the Eighth Pay Commission. The minimum salary could be ₹52,600. Five different fitment factors could apply depending on the level. All government employees and associations are placing their demands before the Eighth Pay Commission, which determines the salaries of central government employees. In this regard, the Indian Railway Technical Supervisors Association (IRTSA) has put forward a major proposal for railway technical employees. The organization submitted a memorandum demanding significant changes to the salary structure, fitment factors, allowances, and retirement benefits. The Railway Employees Association has demanded the Commission establish not one, but five different fitment factors. This includes a minimum basic salary of ₹52,600 and changes to several allowances.
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Demand for Five Different Fitment Factors
IRTSA has demanded that five fitment factors be implemented for employees at different levels, instead of a single fitment factor. The organization argues that each level has different responsibilities, experience, and types of work, so it’s not appropriate to have a uniform formula for everyone.
The fitment factor should be as follows:
Levels L-1 to L-5: 2.92
Levels L-6 to L-8: 3.50
Levels L-9 to L-12: 3.80
Levels L-13 to L-16: 4.09
Levels L-17 and L-18: 4.38
Demand for Minimum Salary and New Salary Structure
IRTSA has also proposed a new cadre structure and starting salary for technical supervisors.
Salary Structure
Junior Engineer (JE), Level 7: ₹1,57,400
Senior Section Engineer (SSE), Level 8: ₹1,66,800
Head SSE (Assistant Manager), Level 9: ₹2,01,600
Chief SSE (Manager), Level 10: ₹2,13,000
Principal SSE (Senior Manager), Level 11: ₹2,57,000
The association has also demanded a minimum basic salary of approximately ₹52,600.
Annual and Promotional Increments
5% Increment Every Year
Demands an increment equal to two years upon promotion.
Suggestions Regarding DA and CPI
The organization has demanded a separate Consumer Price Index (CPI) for calculating dearness allowance (DA). It also calls for including expenses such as internet charges, bottled water, and health insurance. It also suggests exempting DA from income tax and adding 50% of DA to the basic salary.
Proposal for Changes in HRA
IRTSA has suggested providing HRA in four categories instead of the current three.
Class A cities: 40% + DA
Class B cities: 30% + DA
Class C cities: 20% + DA
Class D cities: 10% + DA
Demands on Other Allowances and Benefits
Night Duty Allowance (NDA)
Demands the (Basic + DA)/200 formula for all employees.
Proposal to remove the ₹43,600 limit.
Children’s Education Allowance (CEA)
Children’s education should be covered until post-graduation.
Demands ₹10,000 monthly or actual expenses.
Daily Allowance, Career and Promotion
Proposal to increase travel and living expenses rates three times the 7th Pay Commission. IRTSA has demanded five promotions (MACPS) after 30 years of service. Upgrades should be given at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 years.
Demands Related to Leave and Retirement
Leave Encashment
Allowing employees to encash 50% of their leave
Proposal to increase the retirement limit from 300 days to 600 days
Retirement Benefits
Demand to implement the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for employees recruited after 2004. Suggestion to increase gratuity to ₹50 lakh
Demand for Changes in Group Insurance
IRTSA has demanded changes to CGEGIS, asking for premiums to be reduced and coverage to ₹50 lakh, ₹25 lakh, and ₹15 lakh.
Why are these demands significant?
IRTSA believes that technical employees should receive better pay and benefits, given their qualifications, experience, risk, and responsibility. All these demands are now before the 8th Pay Commission. The Commission will consider these proposals in the future, after which it will decide the extent of changes in employees’ salaries and allowances.
