8th Pay Commission: Formation of 8th Pay Commission, Old Pension Scheme, Increase in the scope of Income Tax exemption- Demand of labor organizations from Finance Minister
 

8th Pay Commission: Labor organizations have demanded the formation of 8th Pay Commission from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Apart from this, they have also asked to abolish the new pension scheme and restore the old pension scheme (OPS). Along with this, there is also a demand to reduce the price of food and medicines.

Budget Expectations, 8th Pay Commission: The government should constitute the 8th Pay Commission, increase tax exemption for the salaried class and restore the old pension scheme. The leaders of the labor organizations have made this demand during a pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday. Labor organizations have also asked the government to stop the privatization of public sector undertakings, abolish the new pension scheme and restore the old pension scheme (OPS). Along with this, there is also a demand to reduce the price of food and medicines.

Get these benefits in income tax
The organizations have said in their memorandum that the maximum limit of income tax exemption for the salaried class on their salary and gratuity should be substantially increased. A government-sponsored social security fund should be established for unorganized workers and agricultural workers, so that they can get a minimum pension of Rs 9,000 per month and other medical, educational benefits etc. Apart from this, they have demanded that all the existing vacancies in the Central Government departments and public sector undertakings should be filled immediately and the practice of contract and outsourcing should be stopped.

Reduce the price of food and medicines
They further said that instead of burdening the general public through GST on essential food items and medicines, corporate tax, increase in property tax and inheritance tax should be implemented. Representatives of 12 labor organizations including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC and UTUC participated in the meeting.

Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) separately submitted a memorandum with its demand. They demanded to increase the scope of MNREGA and guarantee 200 days of work to every family. Apart from this, it was also said to link the work of agriculture and allied sectors with MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act). According to the memorandum, the criteria of Ayushman Bharat Yojana should be increased from Rs 1.20 lakh to Rs 3 lakh.