New Delhi, May 30 -- Along with the fitment factor, DA and family unit formula. a new '3490 Calorie' symtem could be a deciding factor regarding salary hike for central government employees.

The formula links pay revision based on the cost of essential food items - milk, vegetables, cereals and other daily necessities required to meet a prescribed calorie intake of 3,490 calories.

Employee unions have already urged the 8th Pay Commission to adopt this method while determining the new minimum pay, and noted that older formulas no longer reflect present-day living costs.

If accepted, the salaries of central government employees could be also by the rising cost of maintaining a basic standard of living. Here's what the '3490 Calorie' form...