The 8th Pay Commission has sparked a wave of uncertainty among central government retirees, with rumors circulating on social media suggesting that pensions for certain categories of retirees may be stopped or excluded from revision. However, Shiva Gopal Mishra, general secretary of the Staff Side of the National Council (Joint Consultative Machinery), has dismissed these claims as baseless, urging pensioners to rely on official union handles for accurate information.
Mishra's statement comes in response to a video message he posted on X, where he addressed the concerns of pensioners who had contacted him directly, expressing fears that pension payouts would cease or that only employees retiring after 2026 would be eligible for pension and its revision. Mishra assured pensioners that these rumors are completely unfounded and that the Pay Commission is currently discussing the subject, with a focus on continuous improvement in pension benefits.
The 8th Central Pay Commission, headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, was approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2025 and is expected to submit its report within 18 months. The commission's terms of reference include salary and pension revisions for approximately 50 lakh central government employees and 69 lakh pensioners. The NC-JCM Staff Side has been advocating for amendments to the terms of reference, seeking to include existing pensioners and family pensioners within the scope of pension revision and requesting an implementation date recommendation from the commission.
Mishra, who also serves as the general secretary of the All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF), acknowledged the spread of misleading news through unofficial channels but emphasized the importance of pensioners relying on official union handles for accurate information. He urged pensioners to disregard messages from other sources, as they may contain false or misleading claims.
The 8th Pay Commission's work is part of a broader effort to address the demands of central government employees, including discussions on fitment factors and allowances for serving employees. The commission's report is expected to have a significant impact on the livelihoods of a large number of individuals, and the clarity provided by Mishra is crucial in dispelling rumors and ensuring that pensioners receive accurate information about their entitlements.
