Defence personnel unhappy, say key demands not met

NEW DELHI: The Seventh Pay Commission recommendations, approved by the government on Wednesday, have fanned resentment within the armed forces as some of the key

NEW DELHI: The Seventh Pay Commission recommendations, approved by the government on Wednesday, have fanned resentment within the armed forces as some of the key issues raised by them have been not been addressed.

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Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said he had made some recommendations, some of which were accepted. However, several senior military officers HT spoke to felt that the armed forces had been shortchanged as the pay panel fell short on several counts. The officers said parity with civilian employees had been further diluted by the Seventh Pay Commission. The military’s main grouse is that the parity factor has been diluted by successive pay panel reports.

There is discontent within the armed forces over issues such as non-functional upgradation, which entitles government officials to increments even if they are not promoted, and a common pay matrix for the armed forces and other government employees. Issues relating to enhancement of pay in higher ranks through the component of military service pay have also upset the military.

“We are disappointed as our concerns have not been met. We have little hope from anomalies committees set up by the government, going by past experience,” a senior officer said on the condition of anonymity. The

The gratuity ceiling for defence and combined armed police forces (CAPF) personnel has been raised from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. Another highlight is the ex gratia amount that is enhanced from Rs 10-20 lakh to Rs 25-45 lakh for different categories.