Central Govt Employees Demand Redefining 'Family' to Link with Rs 69,000 Pay Proposal New Delhi: Central government employees have called for a significant increase in their basic salary to Rs 69,000 under the 8th Pay Commission, arguing that the current system of defining a family as three units should be revised to account for five units, including parents. The proposal, submitted by the National Council of Joint Committee (NC-JCM)—the apex body representing communication between the central government and its employees—aims to address the growing disparity in living standards and ensure fair compensation. The memorandum, presented to the Pay Commission on Tuesday, highlights the need to adjust the fitment factor, a multiplier used to revise basic pay during transitions to new pay structures. The NC-JCM has urged the Commission to set the fitment factor at 3.83, which would raise the minimum basic pay from Rs 18,000 to Rs 69,000. This factor is critical for achieving uniform revisions across all levels of employment, as it replaces the Seventh Pay Commission’s fitment factor of 2.57, which had increased the minimum basic pay from Rs 7,000 to Rs 17,990. The push to redefine family units stems from the argument that the current system underestimates the financial responsibilities of employees. The NC-JCM proposes treating a family as five units: one for the employee, one for the spouse, and two children (each counted as 0.8 units) along with parents (also 0.8 units). This adjustment is framed as a necessary step to align pay structures with the legal obligations outlined in the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act and the Social Security Code, 2020.#8th_pay_commission #central_govt #nc_jcm #shiv_gopal_mishra #maintenance_welfare_parents
Central Govt Funds Dry Up, Jal Jeevan Mission Progress Slows in Maharashtra Maharashtra’s implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JMM), a central government initiative to provide tap water connections to every rural household in India, has faced significant challenges due to the lack of central funds since September 2024. The state government informed the legislature on Monday that the absence of central financial support has slowed the pace of work across the state, prompting the state to release additional funds to sustain progress. Cabinet minister Gulabrao Patil stated that despite the central share remaining unavailable since September 2024, the state government allocated nearly Rs2,500 crore in 2024-25 and approximately Rs2,350 crore in 2025-26 as a special measure. This combined allocation of over Rs4,800 crore has enabled implementing agencies to continue their efforts. Patil emphasized that the state’s financial contributions have been critical in maintaining the momentum of the mission. The Union finance minister’s announcement in the 2025-26 budget extended the JMM’s timeline to December 2028, with the Central Jal Shakti Ministry indicating the extension was under consideration. The ministry also directed states to continue implementation using their own funds until central funds were received, noting that water supply is a state subject. Legislators raised concerns about the potential impact of delayed payments on contractors. MLAs questioned whether contractors had halted work due to unpaid dues, highlighting the risk of project delays. Patil confirmed that the Maharashtra State Water Supply Contractors Association warned in a December 6, 2025, letter that it would stop work if JJM-related demands were not met.#maharashtra #central_govt #jal_jeewan_mission #gulabrao_patil
