Justice Desai Gets New Role Triggers 8th CPC Delay

The latest concern follows the West Bengal government’s decision to appoint Justice Desai as Chairperson of the Drafting Committee for the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC). She had earlier headed the UCC drafting committee in Uttarakhand and was recently entrusted with a similar assignment by the Maharashtra government.

While welcoming the West Bengal government’s decision, the All India NPS Employees Federation (AINPSEF) expressed apprehension over the cumulative workload being assigned to the former Supreme Court judge.

“Justice Desai’s legal expertise and vast experience are widely appreciated. However, as she is also heading the 8th Central Pay Commission, there is growing concern among lakhs of Central government employees and pensioners that her increasing responsibilities could lead to an unnecessary delay in the submission of the Pay Commission's report,” AINPSEF President Manjeet Patel said.

Patel urged the Centre to issue a clarification assuring employees and pensioners that the functioning of the 8th CPC would not be affected by Justice Desai’s additional assignments and that the Commission would complete its work within the stipulated timeline.

The concerns come at a time when employee organisations had become increasingly optimistic that the 8th Pay Commission could submit its report well ahead of its official deadline, paving the way for revised salaries and pensions from April 2027.

That optimism gained ground after the Commission concluded the process of inviting suggestions from stakeholders on June 15 and began an intensive round of consultations with employee federations and pensioners' associations across the country.

According to Patel, the Commission has now entered the report-preparation phase. “The consultation process is nearing completion. AINPSEF has been engaging continuously with the Commission along with allied organisations. We remain hopeful that the report will be submitted before the Union Budget 2027, enabling implementation of revised pay and pensions from April 2027,” he said.

Under its Terms of Reference notified in November 2025, the Centre has given the 8th Pay Commission 18 months to submit its recommendations, setting a deadline of May 2027. The Commission, however, can seek additional time if required.

Employee representatives believe the current pace of work leaves enough room for the panel to complete its exercise ahead of schedule. With stakeholder consultations in Bhubaneswar and Kolkata expected to conclude the interaction process, many unions estimate that the Commission could finalise its report within the following six months.

Similar views have been expressed by other employee bodies. C. Srikumar, Secretary of the All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF), has indicated that the report could be ready by February or March 2027 if the Commission does not seek an extension. A senior office-bearer of the Federation of National Postal Organisations (FNPO), requesting anonymity, also said the recommendations were likely to be submitted by March 2027.

Employee organisations attribute their optimism to the Commission's extensive use of digital processes. Unlike previous pay panels, submission of memorandums, questionnaires and stakeholder inputs has largely been conducted online, while consultations have also been scheduled digitally. With most background data and official records already available in electronic form, unions believe the Commission is better placed to complete its work faster than its predecessors.

Once submitted, the 8th Pay Commission's report will be examined by a Group of Ministers before being placed before the Union Cabinet for its approval.