The December 2025 edition of The Journal of the Income Tax Employees Federation (ITEF) captures a decisive moment for Central Government employees, particularly those serving in the Income Tax Department. The issue reflects growing concerns over the Terms of Reference of the 8th Pay Commission, exclusion of pensioners, long-pending cadre and promotion issues, digital infrastructure challenges and the need for principled trade union action. At the same time, the journal pays homage to a legendary leader whose ideology continues to guide the movement. ITEF Journal December 2025 includes as under
Remembering Comrade K.K.N. Kutty: A Guiding Force for the Employees’ Movement
The journal opens with a solemn tribute to Comrade K.K.N. Kutty on his third death anniversary. Remembered as a visionary and disciplined trade unionist, Com. KKN Kutty played a pivotal role in shaping the Income Tax Employees Federation and unifying diverse employee groups under a common platform. His contributions to various Central Pay Commissions and his leadership within the Confederation of Central Government Employees remain unparalleled.
The editorial emphasises that his strength lay not in populism but in raising justified, rule-based and defensible demands. The journal cautions current leadership against encouraging unrealistic expectations, such as promotions without vacancies or deviation from statutory rules and urges a return to principled trade unionism focused on long-term structural reforms rather than short-term electoral gains.
ITEF Representation to CBDT: Long-Pending Service Issues Highlighted
One of the most significant sections of the journal details a formal representation submitted by ITEF to the Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Despite earlier discussions and assurances, several key issues affecting Income Tax employees remain unresolved.
The major pending matters highlighted include:
- Modification of Recruitment Rules (RRs)
- Revision of feeder cadre ratios for promotion to Inspector
- Addressing stagnation in promotions to Office Superintendent and Tax Assistant
- Finalisation of revised RRs already endorsed by HRD but pending approval
- Cadre Review and Restructuring
- Early implementation of cadre restructuring for non-IRS cadres
- Review of career progression proposals submitted by JCA
- Eligibility Relaxation for Vacancy Years
- Relaxation in qualifying service due to change in crucial dates for vacancy years 2019 and 2020
- Pay and Promotion Anomalies
- Grant of Grade Pay ₹5,400 after four years of service
- Removal of senior-junior pay anomalies
- Extension of ACP/MACP benefits to affected employees
- Inter-Charge Transfer (ICT) Policy
- Restoration and modification of ICT policy in line with judicial pronouncements
- ZAO and Regional Issues
- Uniform resolution of ZAO-related problems across regions
- Implementation of court judgments, including creation of supernumerary posts where required
- Digital Work Allocation and Infrastructure
- Finalisation of duties of non-gazetted staff in ITBA
- Provision of laptops/desktops to ensure effective digital functioning
- Financial and Administrative Matters
- Clarification on notional increments for retirees
- Adequate budget allocation under medical, travel, fuel and examination heads
These unresolved issues continue to affect morale, efficiency and career progression of Income Tax employees.
Joint Council of Action (JCA): Project Tarang and Digital Infrastructure Concerns
The Joint Council of Action (ITEF & ITGOA) has raised serious operational concerns regarding Project Tarang, the official mobile connectivity scheme for departmental employees. Uncertainty about its extension has resulted in excessive billing, recovery notices and difficulty in retaining official numbers post-retirement.
Additionally, the journal highlights disparities in ICT fund utilisation, where high-end systems are reportedly being procured for senior offices while field formations continue to suffer from shortages of basic digital infrastructure. The JCA has urged CBDT to ensure equitable and need-based allocation of funds to support the Department’s digitisation objectives.
Confederation News: Nationwide Agitation Programme Announced
The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers has announced a phase-wise agitational programme following prolonged inaction on employee demands. Despite the constitution of the 8th CPC, no tangible relief has been provided to employees or pensioners.
The charter of demands includes:
- Amendment of 8th CPC Terms of Reference
- Merger of 50% DA/DR with Basic Pay/Pension
- Grant of 20% Interim Relief w.e.f. 1 January 2026
- Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and scrapping of NPS/UPS
- Release of 18 months DA arrears frozen during COVID-19
- Filling up of vacant posts and stopping outsourcing
- Protection of democratic functioning of service associations
Lunch-hour demonstrations and nationwide campaigns have been announced as part of collective action.
8th Pay Commission: Staff Side Raises Serious Objections
A major focus of the journal is the representation made by the Staff Side of National Council (JCM) to the Hon’ble Prime Minister regarding deficiencies in the Terms of Reference of the 8th CPC.
Key objections raised include:
- Exclusion of existing pensioners and family pensioners from pension revision
- Omission of employee expectations from the ToR
- Absence of a clearly defined date of effect, contrary to past practice
- Introduction of the phrase “unfunded cost of non-contributory pension schemes”, which is strongly opposed
The Staff Side has demanded inclusion of pension revision, interim relief, restoration of OPS and explicit mention of 1 January 2026 as the effective date of implementation.
Pension Is a Right, Not a Freebie: Strong Rebuttal of “Unfunded Pension” Narrative
An in-depth analytical article in the journal dismantles the notion of “unfunded pension.” Drawing from Pay Commission reports, constitutional provisions and landmark Supreme Court judgments, it reiterates that:
- Pension is a deferred wage, earned through decades of service
- Government salaries have historically been structured lower to account for pension benefits
- Pension is a constitutional and legally enforceable right, not a discretionary grant
The article urges the withdrawal of misleading terminology from the 8th CPC ToR to protect the dignity and rights of pensioners.
Conclusion: Time for Decisive and Fair Action
The December 2025 ITEF Journal reflects growing urgency among Central Government employees for fair pay revision, pension security, career progression and adequate work infrastructure. While the constitution of the 8th Pay Commission marks a significant step, unresolved ambiguities and exclusions threaten to undermine employee confidence.
The journal calls upon authorities to address these issues through dialogue, transparency and timely decision-making, while urging employee organisations to remain united, principled and focused on genuine, achievable reforms.
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