8th Pay Commission: Staff Side proposes ₹10 lakh advance for cars, 1-month Basic Pay for festivals

The Staff Side of NC-JCM has proposed the inclusion of new types of advances in salary for the benefit of central government employees. In their memorandum to the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), the Staff Side proposed the inclusion of the following three advances:

• One-month basic salary as the festival advance.

• One-month basic salary as the natural calamity advance

• ₹10 lakh as the four-wheeler advance for purchasing cars

The Staff Side made the above proposals in addition to increasing the limit for existing advances like computer advance and house building advance.

Suggesting the need for a four-wheeler advance, the Staff Side said, "At present Four-Wheeler is not considered to be a luxury, rather it has become an essential vehicle for everybody to travel with family. Therefore, the 8th CPC may recommend Four-Wheeler Advance with a maximum of ₹10,00,000/-. The entire loan may be interest free."

For Natural Calamity Advance, the Staff Side made the following argument:

"Different parts of the Country are facing Natural Calamity due to unprecedented rains, floods, cyclone and drought etc., Previously, the Central Government Employees were eligible for Natural Calamity Advance. However, the same has been withdrawn in the past. We propose that the Natural Calamity Advance without interest may be restored back. One-month Basic Pay to be recovered in 24 installments may be recommended by the 8th CPC."

Apart from the above, the Staff Side also called for offering one-month's basic salalry as festival advance to employees.

"In the Standing Committee Meeting of the National Council (JCM) it was agreed by the official side to consider the restoration of the Festival Advance. However, the same has not been restored yet. In a country like ours where every religion community have got their festival / celebrations etc., Considering the expenditure involved in all these festival / celebrations, it is proposed that 8th CPC may recommend for restoration of Festival Advance equivalent to one month Basic Pay to be recovered in 10 installments," the Staff Side said.

The 8th Pay Commission is currently accepting memorandums for various stakeholders. It is expected to study the memorandums and make recommendations within 18 months of its inception.