The Central government’s plans to redress the grievances of the armed forces over the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission is welcome, though the attempt still seems to be unsatisfactory. The military leadership had refused to accept terms and conditions that the government had initially offered. Clearly the matter has become a contentious issue in civil-military relations. Considering that almost 40 per cent of central government employees comprise military personnel the pay hike has major financial implications for the exchequer.
While the military has four core issues to be addressed, it is argued that the government has only focused on two. The government has placed around 12,000 Lt Colonels/ equivalent ranked officers in the air force and navy who have 15-20 years of service in Pay Band Four which entitles them to Rs 10,000 hike. But what creates confusion is the conditions laid down that only those officers on “combat jobs” and “ready to combat jobs” are entitled for the hike. These phrases are ambiguous and therefore open to interpretation. Also that officers on deputation to other departments would not be entitled to the salary hike, is a disincentive for them to serve outside their parent organisations. For instance, the National Security Guard and Assam Rifles are officered predominantly by the army whose personnel would then be reluctant to accept any deputation outside their service. Besides, around 2,000 officers of all three services go on deputation to organisations like the DRDO, R&AW, NCC, Defence Ministry and Ordnance Factory Board and they would lose Rs 13,000 by virtue of being in Pay Band Four. To that extent the government has only partially addressed the issue. However, it has met a major demand by restoring 70 per cent weightage in pension for serving soldiers, sailors and airmen or personnel below officer rank.
But, the armed personnel are unhappy that the government has ignored two other equally important issues, namely, the tricky problem of grade-pay for military officers with their civil service counterparts which existed till the Fifth Pay Commission in 1997 and the status of three-star ranked Lieutenant Generals, who have been left out of the higher administrative grade. The government has decided to constitute a committee to look into the problem, which clearly suggests that it will be put on the back burner.
The armed forces deserve a better pay packet.
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