7th pay commission: Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has offered multiple benefits to central government employees as well as others during its four years in power, but more is expected ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 as the BJP led NDA government tries to keep over 1 crore central government employees in a good frame of mind. In fact, if some sources are to be believed, the government may not wait for 2019 polls to roll by before taking positive action to announce some good news. 

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The government had hiked the salaries of the central government employees in January 2016, but employees believe this is not enough going by the rate of inflation in the country. On account of high cost of living, the government employees have requested the government to take a relook at minimum pay and fitment factor under 7th pay commission. The government employees are demanding a hike in the minimum pay from the present Rs 18,000 to Rs 26,000 and an increase in the fitment factor from the existing 2.57 times to 3.68 times.

As government employees hope for their demands to be met, let's take a look at all that government has already done so far in this space: 

Pension benefits for teachers

The Modi government has approved  revised pension benefits for 23 lakh retired teachers, non-teaching staff in Central Universities and Colleges as per the recommendation of the 7th Central Pay Commission. Around 25000 present pensioners will benefit in Central Universities and UGC maintained deemed to be universities to the tune of Rs 6000 to Rs 18000, the HRD minister said in a tweet.

Rural postal service employees

The government raised  salaries of rural postal service employees by giving them 56 per cent raise in their salaries. They will receive the arrears from January 1, 2016.  

Double allowance to employees on deputation

The recommendation of the 7 pay commission for enhancement of ceiling of deputation (duty) allowance for civilians by 2.25 times has been accepted and this decision is effective from July 01, 2017, said an official statement . In case of deputation within the same station, the duty allowance will be payable at the rate of 5% of basic pay subject to a maximum of Rs 4,500 per month. And for deputation, involving change of station, will attract allowance rate of 10% of the basic pay subject to maximum of Rs 9,000 per month.

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Minimum pay

The government increased the minimum salary of the central government employees to Rs 18,000 in June 2016. The employees got arrears from January 2016. These employees have requested the government to increase the minimum pay from Rs 18,000 to Rs 26,000, though the government is yet to take any decision on the matter.

While these benefits are done and dusted, only time will tell if indeed Modi government will pay heed to demands of government employees. Sources are reporting that the government may pick any big day of national importance to announce the good news.