Pay panel recommends special pay for Armed Forces

The Sixth Pay Commission (SPC) on Monday recommended an up to twofold increase in the salaries of defence personnel that would include a military service pay of up to Rs 6,000 a month and grade pay, apart from suggesting their direct entry into central para- military forces.

"We have observed that government is spending on the training of these jawans (defence personnel), which are left on the street in their prime age at the age of 33-34. The lateral entry will provide them longer career and lesser burden on government," Pay Commission Chairman B N Srikrishna told reporters.

In a significant move, the respective chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force will be among the highest paid in the country, drawing Rs 90,000 per month, equivalent to the Cabinet Secretary under the new pay structure recommended by Commission.

The report, which is expected to be implemented with effect from January 1, 2006, has recommended payment of arrears in two phases. However, the panel made it clear that for the military service pay (MSP), the government will not have to pay any arrears.

In the officers category, it has recommended a pay scale of Rs 15,600-Rs 39,100 for Lieutenant to Brigadiers, along with a grade pay of Rs 5,400 and MSP of Rs 6,000 a month. Accordingly, the total revised monthly pay of Lieutenant, Sub-Lieutenant or Flying Officer will be Rs 25,760 to Rs 28,890.

The Major-General/Rear Admiral/Air Vice Marshal have been put in the pay scale of Rs 39,200-Rs 67,000 besides a grade pay of Rs 9,000, but without any MSP. They will be getting a monthly salary of Rs 52,280-Rs 54,480 as per the revised pay scales.

Pay for Armed Forces

Comments: The demand for Military Service Pay (X Factor) has at last been recommended by SPC which will partly compensate for the hazardous service conditions. The really important aspect is that Military Rank status which has been consistently eroding and on the decline in each of the successive five pay commissions is now arrested in the SPC. This is a positive, the one and only foremost redeeming factor. Certainly, the Pay Commission needs to be complimented for taking the bold step of keeping at bay the IAS lobby from further demeaning the Armed Forces Status. The pensioners can joyfully look up to 40 percent enhancement (merging of existing DA to pay will marginally hike up existing pension by 10% to 20%).