West Bengal's Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has given in-principle approval for the constitution of the 7th Pay Commission, signaling a future revision in salaries, pensions and allowances for state government employees and pensioners. According to public broadcaster Akashvani News, the proposed pay commission will cover state government employees, staff of boards and corporations, state-aided bodies and educational institutions. State Minister Agnimitra Paul announced the decision after the cabinet meeting, stating that the implementation fulfills a long-standing employee demand. As reported by multiple sources, the money will be automatically transferred to bank accounts of eligible employees, with the new Annapurna Bhandar scheme offering financial aid to women, linked to Lakshmir Bhandar. However, Paul clarified that such scholarship will be in force only for this current month and will be stopped from June 1. The state cabinet also approved additional measures alongside the pay commission decision, including free travel for women in state-run buses beginning June 1 and the decision to discontinue religion-based welfare assistance programmes from next month.
The actual jump in take-home pay will depend on the fitment factor to be notified later, which has not yet been announced by the government. As reported by Business Standard, the fitment factor is the multiplier used to revise existing salaries and pensions - for example, an employee with ₹20,000 basic pay would see revised pay of ₹50,000 at a fitment factor of 2.5. Under the 6th Pay Commission, West Bengal had adopted a fitment factor of 2.57. That revision was notified in September 2019, though arrears were provided with effect from January 1, 2016. Current estimates suggest possible fitment factors of 2.0, 2.25 and 2.5, with the eventual figure determining how sharply salaries rise and how much additional burden falls on the state exchequer. The state government has not yet announced the fitment factor for the 7th Pay Commission, making it crucial for determining the extent of salary growth employees receive under the new pay structure.
Current entry-level basic pay in West Bengal ranges from ₹17,000 at Level 1 to ₹1.28 lakh at Level 24. According to the latest government estimates, a Level 1 employee with ₹17,000 basic pay may see revised pay rise to ₹34,000 at 2.0 fitment, ₹38,250 at 2.25 fitment, and ₹42,500 at 2.5 fitment. Similarly, a Level 10 employee drawing ₹32,100 basic pay could move to ₹64,200 at 2.0 fitment, ₹72,225 at 2.25 fitment, and ₹80,250 at 2.5 fitment. At senior levels, a Level 20 employee with current entry basic pay of ₹84,500 could see pay rise to ₹1.69 lakh under a 2.0 fitment factor, ₹1.90 lakh under a 2.25 factor and approximately ₹2.11 lakh under a 2.5 multiplier. The detailed salary structure shows comprehensive increases across all pay levels, with the highest Level 24 position seeing the most significant jump.
For state government employees, the higher revised basic pay will improve provident fund contributions, gratuity calculations, pension benefits, loan eligibility, home affordability, and insurance coverage capacity. As reported by Business Standard, employees may also see stronger long-term retirement savings because most retirement-linked benefits are tied to basic pay. However, economists typically monitor whether higher government wage bills increase pressure on state finances, borrowing requirements and fiscal deficits. The final structure will also influence pension revisions for retired employees. The automatic bank transfer system ensures seamless implementation, while the new Annapurna Bhandar scheme provides additional financial support for women employees. Existing beneficiaries will receive money directly into their bank accounts, while fresh applicants can register through a portal expected to open shortly.
