 "8th Pay Commission: Meet the three-member team set to approve the next pay hike for govt employees")
The government has officially finalised the core team for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), starting an 18-month process to decide the new salaries and pensions for about 1.2 crore central government employees and pensioners.
The crucial three-member panel, who would navigate the complexities of post-pandemic inflation and rising living costs, will be led by former Supreme Court judge, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, who assumes the role of Chairperson.
The power trio
The newly formed commission brings together the perfect mix of judicial wisdom, academic insight, and administrative precision.
At its helm is Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, a former Supreme Court judge and head of the Delimitation Commission, whose steady and balanced perspective promises fairness and clarity in addressing employee aspirations.
Joining her is Professor Pulak Ghosh, an IIM Bangalore decision scientist whose modern, data-driven approach signals a shift toward evidence-based policymaking, blending analytics with empathy to shape smarter pay structures.
Rounding out the trio is Pankaj Jain, a 1990-batch IAS officer and Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, whose cost-accounting acumen ensures every recommendation stays both realistic and sustainable.
Together, these three deciders form the power core of the 8th Central Pay Commission.
High expectations for a substantial hike
The appointment comes as millions of employees have waited eagerly for the government to approve the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the commission.
With the 7th CPC facing criticism for being too conservative on addressing inflation, employees are now holding out for a substantial salary hike through a higher fitment factor, along with better alignment of allowances to current cost-of-living realities.
The Commission’s final report, due within the next year and a half, is expected to strike a delicate balance between enhancing employee welfare and maintaining strict fiscal discipline.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIts recommendations will not only influence household incomes nationwide but also have significant ripple effects on the country’s overall economic spending and fiscal deficit targets.
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