SCPC: Ex Servicemen protest against pay panel

Press Trust of India
Sunday, July 6, 2008 (New Delhi)

Rejecting recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, nearly 200 ex-servicemen staged a demonstration at Jantar-Mantar on Sunday to protest against the "logically incorrect recommendations".

Alleging that the recommendations were insensitive of their needs, members of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (ESM) demanded sanction of 'One-Rank-One Pension' which was recommended by a parliamentary committee but was rejected by the Sixth Pay Commission.

"The recommendations of Sixth Pay Commission are logically incorrect to the service conditions that prevail in the Armed forces," a member of the ESM said.

The ESM has also written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister A K Antony on Sunday to press its demands.

"We will intensify our movement as per the democratic means of protest available to us and continue our movement till all our demands are met," said a member of the Ex-Servicemen Commission, Maj Gen Satbir Singh (Retd).

The ESM also condemned the poor representation of government members at the funeral of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the 1971 war hero.

Participating in the protest wearing black arm bands, the ex-servicemen demanded constitution of a separate Pay Commission or Pay Review Board with statutory powers with serving and veteran members from defence services representing them.

The veterans demanded "assured job" for the retired army personnel till the age of 60 at par with other government employees.

"Since 90 per cent of defence personnel should retire compulsorily retirement in between the age of 35 and 45, they should be provided with assured jobs and if this is not possible they should be given 75 per cent of their salary," said a member of the group.

ESM protest against pay panel