The National Council (Staff Side) of the Joint Consultative Machinery (NC JCM) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting major changes to the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 8th Pay Commission. The letter, also marked to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, calls for restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), revising pensions for existing retirees and inserting clauses that were part of earlier pay commissions.
Employee bodies push for wider ToR
As per ET, several central government employee unions have been writing to the Centre since the 8th CPC ToR was announced. Earlier this week, the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers also wrote to the finance ministry with similar demands.NC JCM secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra said in the letter that amending the ToR would safeguard the “larger interest” of serving and retired employees, including personnel from the Armed Forces.
Key amendments sought by NC JCM
According to ET, the NC JCM has asked the PM to include the following changes in the ToR:
- Restore the “expectations of stakeholders” clause that existed in the 7th CPC
- Include
pension revision for all existing pensioners - Bring back the Old Pension Scheme for 26 lakh employees currently under NPS
- Remove the phrase “unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes”
- Declare January 1, 2026 as the implementation date
- Provide 20% interim relief to employees and pensioners
Missing ‘stakeholders’ clause
The NC JCM has objected to the removal of the phrase “with due regard to the expectations of stakeholders”, noting that it was an important part of the 7th CPC’s ToR. The body says its absence sends a “discouraging signal”.
Pension revision for retirees
The NC JCM highlighted that although the government has said the 8th CPC will cover pensioners, the ToR does not mention pension revision. It has requested the inclusion of conditions such as:
- Restoring commutation after 11 years
- 5% additional pension every five years after retirement
- Revision coverage for all pensioners
Restoring the Old Pension Scheme
As per ET, the letter also asks the 8th CPC to explicitly include restoration of the OPS for those who joined government service on or after January 1, 2004. The NC JCM said this long-standing demand reflects concerns about financial security after retirement.
Removing ‘unfunded cost’ phrase
The employee body has objected to the phrase “unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes” in the ToR, calling it unjust. The NC JCM wants this deleted as it “treats constitutionally guaranteed pension rights as fiscal burdens”.Effective date and interim reliefThe NC JCM wants the 8th CPC recommendations to take effect from January 1, 2026, and has sought a 20% interim increase in basic pay and pension to help employees cope with inflation until the Commission submits its report.The council said this would reflect the government’s “empathy” towards serving and retired employees who form the backbone of public administration.
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