; By: Nitin A Gokhale
The current impasse over the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission award for the
three armed forces will be resolved soon, Raksha Mantri Manohar Parrikar has
asserted.
Speaking to BharatShakti.in, Mr. Parrikar in his first public comments over the
deadlock said: “I am aware of the anomalies and shortcomings in the award for the
military. The Service Chiefs have also briefed me again. I have assured them that I
am confident of resolving issues very soon,” he said in a brief chat this evening.
Mr Parrikar said the three Service Chiefs raising the issue with him is not being
viewed as defiance. “I only told them that we care for the forces and all concerns
raised by them will be addressed by taking them up with the Prime Minister and the
Finance Minister,” he added. The only way to find a solution to these issues is
discussion, Mr Parrikar said. “The Service Chiefs know that I am using all the
strength at my command to find a way out. You must understand that I got the gazette
notification announcing the 7th Pay Commission amended to make sure the military
retains its edge over the Central Armed Police Forces. Such a step has never been
taken ( to amend a gazette notification),” he pointed out.
Although he refused to put a timeline for the resolution of the problems, the very
fact that the Raksha Mantri met the Prime Minister last night and is understood to
have apprised him of the all the points demonstrates the seriousness with which the
government is treating the issue. Unlike earlier times, the issues will be resolved
without delay, Mr Parrikar said.
Asked why were these issues not resolved before the notification was issued, Mr.
Parrikar pointed out that a cabinet notification cannot be corrected before it is
notified. “The anomalies committees are meant to correct the shortcomings, ” he
said.
He asserted that at least three of the four major anomalies over which the service
HQs are perturbed will be taken care of very soon. They are:
1. The entry level pay suppression in the middle ranks
2. Non-functional Upgrade (NFU)
3. Enhancement of Military Service Pay (MSP) for JCOs.
1. The entry level pay suppression in the middle ranks
2. Non-functional Upgrade (NFU)
3. Enhancement of Military Service Pay (MSP) for JCOs.
Experts on Pay Commission issue say one way of overcoming the problem posed by no
NFU to military personnel ( an anomaly from the earlier Pay panel) is to grant a one
time notional NFU for pay scale fixation in the armed forces so as to maintain the
equilibrium with other services.
Mr Parrikar pointed out that most of the other anomalies are also carried over from
the earlier Pay Commissions and will have to be taken up in the two committees
formed to resolve them.
The Raksha Mantri said he has asked the Service HQs to start implementing the
benefits of the 7th Pay Commission to the troops as soon as possible. “The financial
outgo of the corrections that will be made, is not likely to be more than Rs 600
crores and can be given out later, he said.
http://bharatshakti.in/solution-to-pay-panel-issue-soon-assured-raksha-mantri-parrikar/
1. Last year, three defence services, submitted a 900 pages of detailed study on their objections on 7th CPC to you. But you did not act upon this study. Why should we trust you now, Mr Parrikar?
ReplyDelete2. All 900 pages cannot pertain to officers class alone, the bulk of them must be affecting JCOs and Other Ranks (not PBORs). The bulk of 83 issues lingering since 5th CPC, must be pertaining to JCOs and Ors. I have a strong feeling that, instead of addressing them holistically, some body made to infiltrate many people in the ESM groups, and tried to wedge a divide between Officers, JCOs and jawans. If you did not act on these two memoranda, why should we trust you now, Mr Parrikar?
3. On 19 Dec 2015, in a rare move, three Service Chiefs gave a joint memorandum to you, expressing their concerns about 7th CPC. You did not act upon it, Then, Why should we trust you now, Mr Parrikar?
4. Neither in the 7th CPC, nor in the recent empowered committee of secretaries, no member from Defence forces comprising of 30.9 % of central Govt employees, was appointed, though there were 9 members from IAS and one each from Railways etc. Then why should we trust you now, Mr Parrikar?
5. Six months ago, On 11 March 2016, a very high quality, exhaustive power point presentation was given by TRIPAS, in the presence of three Service Chiefs, to the Empowered Committee of secretaries. Even the Cabinet secretary appreciated the presentation. But they and you did not act upon it. Then why should we trust you now, Mr Parrikar?
6. Since the electioneering speech of Mr Modi at Rewari in March 2014, we ESMs are being falsely tantalized about OROP and yet you gave just a fig leaf to us in the name of OROP. Then why should we trust you now, Mr Parrikar?
7. The whole country was made to believe, in a concerted psych war, that OROP would need a huge outflow of 12000 Crores Rs, at the cost of poor people. (Mind you, not at the cost of crony capitalists !) In reality the outcome is only 2300 Crores Rs so far. Then why should we trust you now, Mr Parrikar?
8. Even the pittance the all ranks of forces got in the name of OROP (and also the previous entitlements since 2008), is not being paid by PDA banks to ESMs, especially, the ignorant jawans, settled in far flung villages. But you have no time or aptitude for this critical shortcoming. You do not understand the difference between VRS and Pre-mature retirement being a RM. Then, why should we trust you now, Mr Parrikar?
9. Now, you are ordering three service Chiefs to first implement 7th CPC and then you will address the anomalies. Please tell us, why should we trust you now, Mr Parrikar?
10. How we hoodwink the public where defence pay is spent more on the defence civilians.Here is a small comparison of average monthly pensions of we foujis, civilians in defence and IAS et al. See how foujis Have been cheated. Why should we trust you now, Mr Parrikar?
ARMED FORCES
TOTAL PENSIONERS.......25,00,000
TOTAL BUDGET ...............Rs 33,000 Cr
AVERAGE PENSION PER PENSIONER.... Rs 15,050 /- PM
....................................................................................
CIVILIANS IN DEFENCE
TOTAL PENSIONERS......5,32,000
TOTAL BUDGET...............Rs 21,000 Cr
AVERAGE PENSION PER PENSIONER... Rs 33,680 /- PM
......................................................................................
IAS,IPS,IFS,PWD,INDIAN MEDICAL DEPT ETC
TOTAL PENSIONERS......2,95,000
TOTAL BUDGET..............Rs 33,500 Cr
AVERAGE PENSION PER PENSIONER....Rs 93,930 /- PM
Mr. Sahana, my first question, do you think Mr. Parikar is going to read or being informed all this we write?
DeleteObviously know. I wish to write something different, let me assure you all we have enemies within, if I'm wrong pls correct me.
Yes, indeed government should scrap orop and save money. A nasty prop, why ? following points would reveal apart from many issues being take up by anomaly committee:
1) there is only paltry increase of Rs. 100 to 2000 in case of JCO/ORs.
2) there is no change in pension table for six monthly gap of service for JCO/ORs
3)full pension benefit on delinking 33 years not at all extended to JCO/ORs
4) OROP implemented for whom in the name of jawans? Making fool the nation itself ...
5) arrears only 100 to 25000 for JCO/ORs, where as .. everybody aware of.
Now any wise man please convince or justify above points and stop OROP.
how officers can take hostages of OR FOR THEIR SELFISH GAIN BY HOLDING UP THE 7TH PAY COMMISSION IMPLIMENTATION INCLUDING PENSIONERS
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed government should scrap orop and save money. A nasty prop, why ? following points would reveal apart from many issues being take up by anomaly committee:
Delete1) there is only paltry increase of Rs. 100 to 2000 in case of JCO/ORs.
2) there is no change in pension table for six monthly gap of service for JCO/ORs
3)full pension benefit on delinking 33 years not at all extended to JCO/ORs
4) OROP implemented for whom in the name of jawans? Making fool the nation itself ...
5) arrears only 100 to 25000 for JCO/ORs, where as .. everybody aware of.
Now any wise man please convince or justify above points and stop OROP.
What is entry level pay suppression ln the middle ranks. Plse explain.
ReplyDeleteThe nation has witnessed rampant destruction in Karnataka and some retaliatory vandalism in Tamil Nadu over sharing of Caveri water..
ReplyDeleteThere was a situation developing in the Capital unbeknownst to many which could have culminated in a sort of Armageddon if parties involved did not covertly agree for a tactical withdrawal. The situation was unprecedented in the history of civil/ military relationship.
I am referring to the letter by the Chiefs the three wings of armed forces forwarded by Chief of Staff Committee ( COSC ) Air Chief Marshal Aroop Raha to the Hon’ble RM on the “unresolved Anomaly” in the pay structure & other related matters concerning defence in the 7 CPC and the “SIGNAL” of 9th Sept. to lower commands to withhold implementation contained in the order of MOD dtd 6 the Sept. and, in reply, the strict instruction of RM to follow the order of 6th Sept.
It was a true Catch 22 situation. Neither parties could have come out unscathed had they not exercised extreme caution. Fortunately both saved faces for the “time being” ; and we have not seen the end yet.
It is the bounden duty of the Chiefs to protect the interest of the men under them and they have rightly chosen to do so. This act should have been viewed as part of the duty of the chiefs; but the Hon’ble RM had a different view and his response to the chief appeared to be bordering ( pardon the usage,) arrogance. Perhaps it was construed as INSUBORDINATION.
This is an oft misinterpreted term. Insubordination is defined as “ an act of disobeying a lawful command given by a superior officer”. What is lawful or unlawful is relative but pertains to operational matters only and not for administrative directives.
It is serious situation. If the action of chief is deemed to be insubordination, he has to be fired forthwith. On the other hand if the RM’s order is unlawful he loses the moral authority to continue in that position. The situation has transpired into a“ heads I win, tails you lose” scenario.
Fortunately, the RM has” fully understood the concerns” of the armed forces and will do” his best” to find a solution and chiefs are convinced that “everything will be alright” and assuaged the rank file; so all quiet on the western front now. Issues that end well need not begin well or vice versa.
Let us just see what the “unresolved anomaly” are:
NFU, DISABILITY ALLOWANCE, COMMON PAY MATRIX, MSP FOR JCOS.
Except for the last mentioned all other pertain to small % of personnel belonging to armed forces top brasses.
There are other important issues which need their immediate attention, unfortunately, no chief ever even acknowledge the existence of such anomaly.
Delinking of 33 years qualifying service for full pension has not been implemented for defence retirees even after it is effected 5 months ago for CG pensioners and civilians in armed forces. By what terminology one can describe this callous conundrum.
DL 33 is the very base for re-fixation of pension wef 1-1-2006.If this is not done the entire follow up like OROP fixation and 7 CPC implementation will be in jeopardy. And non implementation may end up in litigation as it is violation of Apex Court verdict which again will make everything prolonged indefinitely subjected to the decision of courts.
So it is imperative that DL 33 issue be resolved first before implementing 7 CPC recommendation.
The above issue, which is very vital and affects most defence pensioners was not brought to the notice of the RM. DL 33 does not affect the officers because their pension is already based on this principle hence may have escaped attention by chiefs.
What the chiefs can do the least is to request RM to issue instruction to DESW to generate OM in this regard before implementing 7 CPC recommendations.
Yes, indeed government should scrap orop and save money. A nasty prop, why ? following points would reveal apart from many issues being take up by anomaly committee:
Delete1) there is only paltry increase of Rs. 100 to 2000 in case of JCO/ORs.
2) there is no change in pension table for six monthly gap of service for JCO/ORs
3)full pension benefit on delinking 33 years not at all extended to JCO/ORs
4) OROP implemented for whom in the name of jawans? Making fool the nation itself ...
5) arrears only 100 to 25000 for JCO/ORs, where as .. everybody aware of.
Now any wise man please convince or justify above points and stop OROP.
To overcome the present impass the DM's efforts are loudable.But what is there in the Pandora's box for PBOR ?. Definitely not even a pinch from the pot.They must be extracting benefits for themselves putting the gun on jawan's shoulder.Because wars are won by commanders but fought by jawans.
ReplyDeleteThere is another greater anomaly in the pay structure of PBOR. Junior rank getting a higher salary. The X group, considered to be equal to diploma are paid a higher pay which reflects in pension also.
ReplyDeleteThis anomaly creates much dissentment among many.
No doubt that X group undergoes advanced technical course and deserved to be paid higher. But the moot point to be understood is that defence essentially is a rank conscious,discipline and "izzat" based special and unique establishment.
While holding a particular rank in "X" group they are justified in being paid higher than others in same rank in same/lower groups.
Instead of "PAY" this extra emolument may be classified as "Technical allowance" making it non-reckonable for pension. Because once out of uniform veteran is treated only on the basis of the rank held and not
on technical qualification possessed while in service.
Secondly, while fixing pay for next higher rank it must be ensured that a lower rank person which ever group he may belong to must not be placed above the next higher rank. This has been the point of contention between Maj. Gen Satbir/MOD. This needs to be resolved. A minimum difference of Rs.500/- above the salary of a junior rank (including tech allnc.) be fixed as starting salary of next higher rank. This will avoid many anomalies in pay and pension of PBOR.
Tech.gp bros may not agree with me but i think it is worth considering.
vet JWO sukumaran
Lt.Gen.(R) Harwant Sing's article is a pointer to the fact that the Top Brass are waking up to the situation arising out of the discriminatory treatment being meted out to military. It is a welcome change. Sri Mohanarangan Narayanan's doubt whether the Gen was unaware of this while in service is, though pertinent, emanates from misconception about the uniformed person's right to freedom of opinion and speech. If he had voiced the the same concern while serving, in all probability , would not have survived to write this blog.The question by M Narayanan reminds me of Kruschev's reply to a question as to why he did not object Stalin. So I do not blame him for his action as VCOAS.
ReplyDeleteWhat i see in his blog is the mind set that has been so discernible all through as how utterly unmindful they are about the woes of men called PBOR.
First thing to be done is to remove for good the nomenclature "PBOR" Call them a) Junior Officers (JCOs are Cl II Gazetted Officers) b) Senior Non Gazetted c) Non Gazetted and Air Men, Front line Soldier and Sea Warrior.
Give Same allowances to all whether officer or others and maintain the Pay Difference between officers and Junior Officer and below.All other perks must be equal. By virtue of certain quality required to become an officer an significant enhancement in pay is justified.
This will set aside, positively, most of the resentments prevalent among personnel other than commissioned officers.
This measure if implemented will boost the morale, efficacy and out put of the fighting force