Assam Government Commits to Address Eighth Pay Commission Concerns
Commitment to Employee Welfare
Jorhat, Dec 28: Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State and a prominent figure in Assam's BJP, has pledged that all matters raised in the Eighth Pay Commission report will be addressed through ongoing discussions with employee organizations.
Speaking at the All Assam Employees' Council's annual general meeting in Jorhat, Margherita highlighted the government's dedication to resolving employee concerns collaboratively.
"The issues pointed out in the Eighth Pay Commission report will be tackled through dialogue. The Employees’ Council and government employees are not secondary parties; they are integral to governance," he stated during the second day of the Council's 40th Annual General Meeting held at Chandrakamal Bezbaruah Commerce College.
He also mentioned that discussions are actively taking place regarding sensitive topics, including the long-standing debate surrounding the National Pension System (NPS) and the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
"Conversations about the old pension policy are ongoing. This matter cannot be settled with a simple statement, as it involves complex technicalities. The specifics of entitlements are being negotiated between the Employees’ Council and the government, and this dialogue will persist," he explained.
Margherita further noted that the state government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has initiated various measures to alleviate both voluntary and involuntary challenges faced by government employees.
"The Chief Minister has made efforts to resolve numerous issues, bringing relief and happiness to the families of many employees. While some challenges remain, there is a strong trust between the employee community and the government. The outstanding issues will also be addressed in due time," he added.
He emphasized the government's cooperative approach, stating that many previous demands from employee groups have already been met.
In a positive note, the President of the All Assam Employees’ Council expressed hope for favorable changes in the upcoming year.
"We are optimistic that the recommendations of the Eighth Pay Commission will be implemented starting January 1, 2026. With anticipated support from the central government, employees may see salary increases in the new year," he remarked, expressing confidence in receiving good news soon.
He also mentioned that several longstanding demands, such as frisk pay, house rent allowances for casual and master roll employees, promotions for those deprived for 25 to 30 years, service roll benefits, and salary payments at graduate scales, have already been addressed through discussions with the government.
In conclusion, Margherita stated, "Employees are the backbone of any administration. We view them as the primary contributors to effective governance. Today, we discussed a variety of employee-related issues. Since we consider employees as family, we approach these matters not as demands but as collaborative discussions to resolve collectively."