2009-07-14 T10:24:06+05:30
According to Defence Minister A. K. Antony, the government has accepted the one-rank-one-pension (OROP) demand for armed forces officers and personnel below officer rank (PBOR) and will also set up a separate pay panel for the military.
But, he also added that the OROP demand is not accepted as such. "The decision is now nearer to the goal of one-rank-one-pension demand of nearly 1.5 million personnel," Antony said, adding: "The financial implication would be Rs.2,144 crore," the minister added.
The demand had been considered by a high-level committee headed by Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrashekhar, to which the issue had been referred after armed forces personnel began returning their gallantry and distinguished service awards to protest the government's inaction.
On the demand for a separate pay commission for the armed forces, the minister said: "It has been agreed (to), and as and when necessary, it will be set up in the future.
The government has also accepted the committee's recommendations on raising the compensation for those disabled or injured in war, Antony added.
One-Rank-One-Pension For Armed Forces
Deductions
1. There is Political will to grant OROP.
2. OROP demand not accepted in lieu Pension nearer to OROP granted.
3. CoS and Anomaly Committees convolute and confuse the OROP issue. Bureaucrats are averse to OROP.
4. Time to activate the Military Pay Commission to set right the Pension Anomalies.
Military Pay Commission
Armed force’s pension rules are very complicated and a maze of confusing rules and changes implemented over the decades. Issues like up gradation, elimination of ranks and appointments, different retirement ages, SSC, parity with civilians are some vexing issues which forms a fertile ground for babus to play around and confuse the Politicians.
Government should resolve the just demands of armed forces with sympathy and find ways to ensure that soldiers feel that they are not being short changed or short circuited. A separate pay commission for armed forces is a great way in removing the suspicions that IAS predators are fixing salaries for armed forces personnel (serving and retired).
Filling the submarine gap
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