7th Pay Commission: The results of assembly polls held in 5 states are out and the ruling BJP at the Centre now has to chalk out a strategy to grab the spotlight as the general elections 2019 are looming. Pressure has increased now on the Centre to consider the demands of central government employees for a hike in minimum salary and fitment factor beyond 7th Pay Commission ahead of national elections.
 
So far, it has been witnessed that ruling parties at the Centre have given sops ahead of general elections, therefore, the central government employees are increasingly hopeful that their demands would be considered on priority as they form a good chunk of votes that the ruling party cannot afford to ignore at this juncture. 
 
On the agenda is the debate on implementation of smooth formula for promotion from April 1, 2019. The move would not only put an end to employees' complaints of partiality in promotions, but would also follow the norms recommended by 7th Pay Commission. Under this plan, the government may give weightage to public feedback as well as their ratings in the promotion of staff along with the latter's performance. 
 
The feedback system would be considered for those employees who are dealing with people at large and have been serving them with their good behaviour. Zee Business Online has already quoted government sources as saying that the Department of Personnel and Training at the Centre has already chalked out a blueprint that will agree to most of central government employees demands, and has submitted it to the government for taking a final decision.
 
The employees are also hopeful that the government would also consider their demands for restoring old pension scheme.  
 
Meanwhile, the Northern Railway Workers Union, representing Railway employees, gave a call for a meeting to discuss the demands that include allowances and old pension under the 7th pay commission. The Northern Railway Workers Union has already met Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to apprise him about their demands. 
 
Notably, the key demands of the central government employees are:
 
1. Minimum salary be hiked to Rs 26,000 from Rs 18,000
2. The fitment factor should be increased to 3.7x from 2.57x
3. Restoration of Old pension scheme 
4. Supervisors' grade pay should be increased to 4800 from 4600
5. Running staff should be given allowances as per the 7th CPC recommendations 
6. Safety staff should be given risk and hardship allowance
7. Recruitment of staff to vacant posts belonging to Safety segment