Parliament to Seek Crucial Answers on 8th Pay Commission and DA Merger on December 1

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Central government employees and pensioners across the country are closely watching the developments in Parliament as the Union Finance Ministry is scheduled to respond to an important question on December 1. The question relates to two major issues: the formation of the 8th Pay Commission and the long-demanded merger of Dearness Allowance (DA) with basic pay.

This written question, raised by MP Shri Anand Bhadauria in the Lok Sabha, has become a major point of attention for more than one crore central government employees and retirees who have been awaiting clarity on upcoming pay reforms.

Why This Parliamentary Question Matters

The query officially compels the Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, to state the government’s position on:

The constitution of the 8th Pay Commission
The proposal to merge DA/DR with basic pay
The reasons for accepting or rejecting these demands

These issues have been a matter of constant discussion due to rising living costs and the nearing end of the 7th CPC cycle.

Key Questions the Finance Ministry Must Answer

The MP’s detailed question covers the following crucial points:

1. Notification for the 8th Pay Commission

The government has been asked whether a formal notification has been issued for setting up the 8th Central Pay Commission.
If yes, details regarding the commission’s composition, mandate, and terms of reference must be provided.

2. DA and DR Merger Proposal

The question further presses the government to clarify whether it plans to merge the current DA for employees and DR for pensioners with basic pay.
This demand arises from the belief that DA revisions have not adequately aligned with the “real-time retail inflation” of the past three decades.

3. Possible Timeline and Implementation

If the merger is approved, the expected timeline and method of rollout must also be shared.
If rejected, the government must explain the reasoning behind the decision.

Growing Pressure Ahead of the 8th Pay Commission

The 7th Central Pay Commission was implemented on January 1, 2016, and pay commissions generally operate on a 10-year cycle. With 2026 approaching, employee unions have intensified their demand for setting up the 8th Pay Commission to review salary structures, pension formulas, and allowances.

The DA for employees has also been rising steadily and is expected to cross thresholds that traditionally justify DA merger, as last seen in 2004 before the 6th CPC’s introduction.
A DA merger—if approved—would not only increase take-home pay but also raise increments, HRA, and retirement benefits, since they are calculated on the basic pay.

What Employees Can Expect on December 1

This is one of the rare occasions where the government is compelled to put its stance on record in Parliament.
So far, the Ministry of Finance has remained silent on both issues. As a result, the written reply on December 1 is expected to set the tone for future discussions and may influence upcoming financial planning for the central exchequer.

For millions of hopeful employees and pensioners, the response could prove to be a significant milestone in the journey toward salary restructuring under the 8th Pay Commission.