Centre mulls salary hike for low-level staff

New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government is reportedly planning to increase the basic pay of low-level employees under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The move will include officials under pay matrix level 1 to 5. As of now, the minimum basic pay for central government employees as per the 7th Pay Commission is Rs 18,000.

The Modi government may revise the fitment factor to three from 2.57 times, as mentioned in the 7th Pay Commission. This will increase the present minimum basic pay of Rs 18,000 to Rs 21,000. Arun Jaitley's Finance Ministry might table the proposal before the Cabinet for consideration in the beginning of next financial year. 

The government is expected to take a call on pay hike beyond the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission sometime in April.

The last pay panel had recommended a fitment factor of 2.57 for increasing the basic pay of central government employees under the 7th Pay Commission.