Chennai, Sept 12:
The Chennai GPO Pensioners Forum has placed five key demands before the 8th Pay Commission, seeking better pension and retirement benefits for postal employees and pensioners.
The demands were presented during the Commission’s meetings held in Chennai on September 7 and 8, where employee and pensioner associations put forward their views and grievances.
The forum’s primary demand is the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). It has also sought an increase in pension and family pension to provide greater financial security to retired employees and their families.
The pensioners’ body has further sought relief regarding the recovery of commuted pension amounts. It wants the Commission to review the terms governing such recovery and provide relief to eligible pensioners.
Another major demand is the revision of benefits under the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) scheme. The forum has sought better career progression opportunities and revised pay scales for postal employees.
The representatives have also demanded improvements in allowances and leave benefits, besides stronger social security measures for employees and pensioners.
Apart from these five demands, the forum called for a permanent mechanism for wage revision and sought a minimum wage of Rs 68,000. It also demanded the introduction of “running scales” in addition to the existing pay matrix.
The representatives also raised issues concerning career progression, women employees and persons with disabilities.
The 8th Pay Commission, headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, was constituted on November 3, 2025, and has been given 18 months to submit its report to the Centre. The Commission is expected to submit its report around May-June 2027.
The Commission’s next meetings are scheduled to be held in Chandigarh from September 16 to 18. The recommendations will have a bearing on salaries, pensions, family pensions and other employment-related benefits, subject to the final decisions of the Central Government.