7th Pay Commission: A number of happenings in this space have kept the issue simmering in the news over recent weeks. With much expectations were central government employees waiting for their salaries to be hiked by a number that was in excess of what the 7th Pay Commission had recommended. Currently, that number is a hike in salary by a fitment factor of 2.57 times, but central government employees are demanding a jump by a larger amount saying that the current amounts they earn are not enough. Indian cities are not the cheapest to live in, whether they are metros or tier II and tier III cities. So, they want a pay rise by a factor of 3.68 times with minimum salaries at the lowest levels rising to Rs 26,000. Expectations were high that this would be cleared in the weeks and months that have just gone by as all the factors that were negative for a long time had turned positive. This included everything from a soaring economy, GDP growth of 7.7%, thumbs up from a number of rating agencies and even IMF, fastest growing economy in the world tag. However, state elections have not really gone centre's way. Also, some protests that have taken place from Kashmir to down South over seventh pay commission have brought bad publicity.

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So, despite all the potential, the 7th pay commission announcement of a hike in salaries never came. The concern is that inflation may rise and governemnt's finances may get affected by other factors including soaring oil prices. But now, going beyond all these are other factors that may just be the trump card that forces the government's hand to clear the 7th pay Commission windfall.

Unarguably, the political situation is in a churn and after the current round of polls, the Centre has been put on the backfoot. What it needs, going into the next year's general election, is a lot of support from all segments of society especially unified groups under one umbrella like farmers and central government employees and state government employees. The small-time protests and strikes that have been ignored by Centre, may acquire bigger proportions that can have a very negative overall impact. A big step is needed now.

So, over the next few months, there will be many opportunities for the Centre to make a big announcement about hiking 7th pay commission salaries as per the demands of central government employees. Clearly, all the government's policies depend on them for implementation and as the government's 4 year card has shown, there were many big achievements. 

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So, will the Centre decide the same in the next month or so? Keep glued to this space for more 7th Pay Commission latest news.