Bhubaneswar, July 7:The 8th Pay Commission has commenced a fresh round of consultations with railway employee unions, pensioner associations and other stakeholders in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, as part of its nationwide exercise to gather feedback before finalizing its recommendations.

The discussions, which began on July 6, are focused on key issues including salaries, pensions, allowances and overall working conditions of railway employees. The Commission is engaging with various stakeholders to assess their concerns and expectations regarding the upcoming pay revision.

As part of its outreach programme, the Commission is also expected to visit Kolkata on July 9 and 10 for similar consultations with employee representatives and pensioners.

Prior to making its recommendations on salary revisions, the 8th Pay Commission plans to closely examine the working environment of railway personnel. According to a Railway Board letter issued on July 2, 2026, to the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) and the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF), the Commission intends to observe railway operations and maintenance activities firsthand to gain a better understanding of employees’ working conditions.

The findings from these consultations and field visits are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the Commission’s recommendations on pay, pensions and service conditions for railway employees.