Lt Col rank officers in armed forces placed in higher pay band

22 Apr 2009, 0443 hrs IST, TNN
NEW DELHI: More than 15,000 officers of the armed forces in the rank of lieutenant colonels, wing commanders and commanders in the Navy have been placed under Pay Band-4 of the sixth pay commission, making substantial difference in their salary packages.

The seven-month-long fight of the armed forces demanding pay parity with their civilian counterparts bore fruit with the forces headquarters on Tuesday notifying amended orders to place lieutenant colonel rank officers in the upper pay band.

The government had earlier this year approved demands raised by the armed forces-- Pay Band-4 for Lt Cols and equivalent and 70% pensionary weightage for jawans — based on recommendations by a ministerial committee under foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee. The notification for restoration of 70% pensionary weightage to jawans is, however, yet to be notified.

The benefits to Lt Colonels has, however, come with a condition. Only those officers who are serving in the parent organisation in "combat or combat-ready" roles, and who are not on deputation drawing higher pay from public sector undertakings, will get this benefit.

The other demands of the armed forces to resolve issues of grade pay parity of officers from captains to brigadiers with their civilian counterparts, and placing lieutenant generals in Higher Administrative Grade Plus pay scales on par with director generals of police have, however, been ignored.

"The amended notification for placing Lt Cols and equivalents in Pay Band-4 of the sixth pay commission has been issued today," a senior officer in the tri-services headquarters said here.
Lt Col rank officers in armed forces placed in higher pay band