Thursday, September 4, 2008

Armed forces top brass waiting for anomalies to go

NEW DELHI: A day after the government notified the revised pay scale for armed forces officers, their top brass are understood to have conveyed their unwillingness to implement the Sixth Pay Commission report until anomalies are removed and the status of downdgraded ranks is restored.
Crux of the problem

For the past two days, faced with resentment by middle and senior level officers, top officials from the three services have been closeted with Defence Ministry officials to explain the downgrading of the status of colonels and brigadiers. However, they appreciate the new pay scales for personnel below officer rank (PBOR) as well as aspects such as full pension on completion of 20 years of service for officers and 15 years for PBORs. Their unwillingness to implement the pay panel’s recommendations revolves round the case of Colonels and Brigadiers and their equivalent in the navy and the air force.

Sources said the Fifth Pay Commission recommended pay received by a Lieutenant Colonel on the bottom of the scale as on January 1, 2006 was about Rs. 28,000 compared to Rs. 26,500 for a civil Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG) officer. But according to the Sixth Pay Commission, a Lt. Col. would receive Rs. 31,500 as against Rs. 45,000 for an NFSG officer at the bottom of the scale. The NFSG officers who were drawing a pay lesser than Lt. Colonels are now in Pay Band 4, while Lt. Colonels remain in Pay Band 3. The NFSG officers on the civil side include superintending engineers of the Central Engineering Services, the Directors of the government of India, commandants in Central police organisations, Additional Commissioners of Income Tax and scientists ‘E’ of the Central Scientific Departments.

The sources said Defence Minister A.K. Antony gave the assurance that he would take up the anomalies with the government and attempt to get them removed.

It was on his initiative that the government had set up a high level Pay Commission review panel to look into the grievances of the armed forces.

While some benefits did accrue to the officers and PBORs, the notification left colonels and brigadiers and their equivalents, considered the backbone of the armed forces’ officer cadre, dissatisfied.

Source : The Hindu
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1 comment :

Sumeet Patney said...

Dear Friends



Letter to the Editor (dated 04 Sep 2008) on the subject: "Yet Another Bias against theDefence Services: Genuine Pointer by Service Chiefs being baselessly contested by Finance Ministry" is circulated herewith.



With regards,



Yours Sincerely,



Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM

Phone : 0124-4110570

Mobile: 9312404269

E-Mail : satbirsm@yahoo.com





Letter to the Editor

Yet Another Bias against the Defence Services:

Genuine Pointer by Service Chiefs being

baselessly contested by Finance Ministry



Dear Sir,

1. This is with reference to the news item in your paper dated 04 Sep 2008.

2. It is a pity that the glaring anomalies in the pay fixation of Lt Colonel and Lt General pointed out by the three Chiefs are being baselessly objected to by the Finance Ministry. Why are they strengthening the beliefs of serving and veteran Defence personnel and also the youth that the military is being mistreated and discriminated? Why can't they understand the simple logic that the Govt employee who was getting more than another Govt employee cannot get Rs 14000/- less as a 6th PC award. 19000 Lt Cols and their equivalent in Navy and Airforce, who are working in the most hazardous conditions and are working at the cutting edge of the Defence Forces have been ignored by the cabinet cleared proposal on pay commission and thus not given their due status and respect. If any one thinks, it will not adversely affect their morale, is definitely not thinking logical. Does the Govt know the extent of damage it will inflict on the country's defence? Likewise please don't lower the status of Lt Gen. The officers holding this rank have to function in a much larger area both for external and internal threats and for God sake let the equations between the Defence Services and Civilian Counter parts be not lowered any further. Instead, the equation needs to be corrected and restored to what existed in 1947. A civilian Officer who was equivalent to a Major is now equivalent to a Major General. This steep lowering of status is grievously unacceptable to the Defence Forces Personnel. What a pity? The patriot soldiers who lay down their levies to protect and strengthen Democracy and are the last resort of the Nation in natural and manmade calamities are being mercilessly downgraded, degraded and mistreated. We appeal to the people of the country to support our "just and fair cause" by raising the issue at all forums and requesting the Govt to accept the genuine demands of the Defence Services both serving and Ex-servicemen.

3. The RM and the PM are requested to kindly give serious consideration to the genuine request of the there Chiefs and correct serious anomalies in the 6th Pay Commission award..



With Kind Regards,

Yours Sincerely,



Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM

Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570

September 4, 2008 at 8:58 PM

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