New Delhi, October 25: The National Joint Council Action (NJCA), which represent central government employees in large number are unhappy with the Narendra Modi government which is till date unable to form a high-level committee for reviewing the problems related to minimum wage and allowances as recommended by 7th Pay Commission. According to NJCA, the government had earlier promised them to form a high-level committee which was about to look into the demand made by central government employees’ union to increase the minimum wage. According to experts, most of the central government employees’ are unhappy with the late back attitude of Narendra Modi government as Diwali – India’s biggest festival – is approaching and the government has not taken any firm decision to meet the demands made by NJCA and its leaders. After the NJCA and its leaders were kept waiting, the union leaders had today called a Parliament march on December 15 and had requested central government employees to join the protest.
Shiv Gopal Mishra, office bearer on NJCA, a confederation of 3.3 million central government employees, has been one of the most vocal protesters in last three months. Shiv Gopal Mishra had asked the government to increase the minimum wage from Rs 18,000 to Rs 26,000. Earlier the minimum wage paid by the government was Rs 7000 and after the recommendations made by 7th Pay Commission committee was approved.
The NJCA and its president Shiv Gopal Mishra had been pressing hard for fixing “anomalies” in the pay scale. The NJCA and its leaders had threatened to carry out an indefinite strike, demanding minimum pay of Rs 26,000 instead of Rs 18,000 with 3.68 fitment factor, one day after the Cabinet approved recommendations made by 7th Pay Commission. The 7th Pay Commission recommendations were approved on June 29.  Also Read – 7th Pay Commission latest update: Congress demands government to implement 7CPC before Diwali
Soon after the NJCA threatened to carry out an indefinite strike, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu assured its leaders to “form a High Level Committee, which will be soon set up and the government will take steps accordingly”. At the time of meeting central government employees at Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence, Singh assured union leaders that “the meeting had a blessing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi”. Also Read – 7th Pay Commission latest news: Government likely to make some major announcement today
According to reports, the union leaders said, “It’s been three and a half months already passed, while ni High Level Committee has been formed. The Finance Ministry on July 7, released a press statement confirming that a High Level Committee will be constituted. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu also assured that the favorable decision will be taken within four months”. Also Read – 7th Pay Commission latest news: Implement 7CPC recommendations in favor of employees and pensioners, says J&K National Mazdoor Conference leader
The NJCA has not only demanding pay hikes but also asked the government to check other anomalies in 7th Pay Commission recommendations like the abolition of some allowances that is needed to be fixed. The NJCA further alleged that the government hasn’t kept its promise made by the group of ministers till date. Due to which the NJCA has decided to lead a march to Parliament on December 15.
The NJCA and many other leaders of central government employees unions have called on employees to join the march in demand of hike in minimum pay and address their other problems.