Central Government Forms 8th Pay Commission; GDS Inclusion Demanded

The Central Government of India has established the 8th Pay Commission, led by Justice Ranjana Desai, to make recommendations regarding salary revisions for central government employees and pensioners. This announcement follows a significant delay and has generated optimism among employees. The Commission is tasked with submitting its recommendations within 18 months, which means a deadline of April 2027 for the final report.

Inclusion of Gramin Dak Sevaks Requested

In a notable development, Member of Parliament Ambica G Lakshminarayana Valmiki has formally requested that the Commission considers including approximately 2.75 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) in its scope. In her letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Valmiki emphasized the essential role GDS play in delivering postal services in rural areas, stating that their responsibilities are comparable to those of urban postal workers.

Currently, Gramin Dak Sevaks are classified as “extra-departmental employees” and do not fall under the purview of the 7th Central Pay Commission. Their pay structure is determined by special departmental committees, which has led to disparities in salary and benefits compared to regular employees. Valmiki pointed out that this existing parallel system results in GDS being excluded from major salary increments and allowances typically awarded through the Central Pay Commission.

The Role and Current Status of Gramin Dak Sevaks

Gramin Dak Sevaks are vital to the operation of rural post offices, managing essential services such as mail delivery, money orders, and government schemes. Despite their important contributions, they continue to face limitations in their pay and benefits. As they are not classified as central government employees, they are unable to avail themselves of the salary structures and benefits provided through the Central Pay Commissions.

The establishment of the 8th Pay Commission marks a significant step toward potential salary revisions across various sectors. As the commission initiates its work, discussions surrounding the inclusion of GDS reflect ongoing concerns about equity in pay and benefits among postal workers in India.

The anticipated recommendations from the 8th Pay Commission will undergo government review before any implementation occurs, making the upcoming months critical for all stakeholders involved. The outcome could potentially reshape the financial landscape for many employees, including those currently excluded from the central pay framework.