Myth and Reality of SCPC

Fan of the 6th CPC I am definitely not, and am particularly appalled at some of the recommendations which also reflect a shallowness of understanding on the part of the commission. However many funny queries have been received on the recommendations of the 6th CPC by me. Though, in certain areas, defence personnel have not been dealt with fairly, some apprehensions stem from misinformation and a misconceived negative propaganda against the commission. Answers to some such common queries are:

Myth: The starting pay of a Lieutenant has been kept lower than the starting pay of a Civil Services Group 'A' Officer.

Reality: The starting pay of Lieutenant is absolutely the same as his civilian counterpart. In addition, a Lieut gets a Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs 6000/- which gets added in his pay.

Myth: No DA is admissible on MSP.

Reality:MSP is to be added into basic pay for all intents and purposes except for increments. It would also be added for calculation of allowances such as HRA. It would also be added for calculation of pension.

Myth: Officers upto the rank of Brigadier would stagnate in their pay-scales at the higher end of Rs 39100/-

Reality: On reaching the higher end, they would automatically be upgraded to Pay Band4 with a starting pay of Rs 39200/-.

Myth: Not much benefit in pension and retrial benefits

Reality: Pension, especially for post 1-1-2006 (and hopefully for earlier retirees in case a better modified parity is provided as is being hinted) would be definitely better than at present since besides the higher pay, MSP would also be added. Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity has been raised to Rs 10 Lacs. Anomalies in leave encashment have been removed and enhanced pension has been recommended for pensioners attaining the ages of 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 years. Bar on disability pension on voluntary retirement has been removed. Disability pension now to be calculated as percentage of pay unlike the slab system in the past.


Problem Areas

Major difference between the pension of pre and post 1-1-2006 retirees in case a good system of modified parity is not put into motion.

Degradation of status of military officers– Grade Pay would now determine status. And according to recommendations of this pay commission, grade pays of military officers of higher status have been linked with junior civil officers especially till the rank of Brigadier. To take an example, the starting pay of a DIG was in between a Lt Col and a Col but this time a DIG has been recommended the pay of a Brigadier. The pay of a Lt General (Article 24 on the current warrant of precedence) has been kept two steps lower than a DG of Central Police Organizations who is junior to a Lt General in status and features on Article 25 of the current warrant of precedence.

NO arrears recommended on MSP.

Re- configuration of Assured Career Progression scheme according to military norms not accepted. Currently the second ACP applies after 20 years of service, a time when most of the PBOR of the lowest ranks in the fighting arms have already retired.

Visit: Indian Military benefits

Brigadier PT Gangadharan (Retd)