SCPC: Pension anomalies are created by bureaucrats

Date: Saturday, 15 August, 2009, 11:28 AM
Sir,
This is with reference to the injustice done to the Majors in fixing their pensions.
Have the three service chiefs taken any action on the issue of unacceptable level of pension the officers of the rank of 'Major', which is considered a 'senior officer' in the services, have got? It is just ridiculous that an officer just one rank lower than a Lt.Col. and in some cases equal service should get over Rs. 10000/- less. Earlier, Lt Cols were unjustly put in the lower pay band by the 6th CPC just because there is no equivalent grade in the Central Civil Services. And they got their due because the govt capitulated on realising the strong reaction from the serving officers and the service chiefs and its overall repercussions.

It is apparent that the anomalies arise because the CPCs (bureaucrats) first fix the pensions of the CCS and then attempt to find equivalent ranks of personnel in the Armed Forces personnel- both Commissioned officers and PBORs by a method which can be termed "fill in the gaps". They are unable to find precise equivalence because of the fact that the hierarchical structure of the Armed Forces is basically different from that of the CCS. It is a rank structure as distinct from the grade structure in the CCS. This structure has evolved to suit the peculiar nature of their job which is entirely different from that of any civil service job.

So the answer to that is to have a separate Pay Commission for the Armed Forces which the (Prime Minister?) govt has accepted in principle for future. But we need to take care of the present. IESM must take up the case of Majors, Squadron Leaders and Lieutenant Commanders who form the backbone of the officer cadre of the Armed Forces.

The same treatment has been meted out to non-commissioned ranks. The proper terminology for the (Air Force) airmen of the rank of Corporal is non-commissioned officer,Sergeants-Senior Non-Commissioned officer and above are Junior warrant Officers, Warrant Officers and Master Warrant officers. Likewise in the Army and the Navy. So why and when was this term PBOR coined? This was after 1980s. When a class II person in CCS is a called a Section Officer, why are service personnel of Class II gazetted grade called Personnel Below Officer Rank? The aim is clear.

IESM must take up these causes else there will be more 'anomalies' in store for the Armed Forces!
Regards,
Shashank Bendre
Wg.Cdr.(Retd)
Member PC,IESM