Chronological Evolution of X Group Pay as a Varying Benefit and the Discrimination in OROP Implementation
1. Introduction of X Group Pay under 6th CPC (2006 onwards)
With the implementation of the 6th Central Pay Commission (6th CPC), an X Group Pay of ₹1,400 per month was legally and statutorily sanctioned for all Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) of the Defence Forces belonging to the X Group.
- This was a varying benefit compared to Y Group PBOR, who did not receive X Group Pay.
- Due to this statutory distinction, “same pension for the same rank with the same length of service” between X and Y Group personnel was not legally possible under the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, as the X Group Pay formed an integral, variable component of pension.
2. Enhancement and Bifurcation under 7th CPC (2016 onwards)
The 7th Central Pay Commission further enhanced and bifurcated the X Group Pay introduced under the 6th CPC:
- ₹6,200 per month for X Group PBOR holding an AICTE-recognised or equivalent diploma.
- ₹3,600 per month for X Group PBOR without an AICTE-equivalent diploma.
This bifurcation arose because certain non-technical trades, such as GARUD in the Indian Air Force, were included under the X Group category.
The Air Headquarters (Air HQ) and Air Force Record Office (AFRO) issued the necessary statutory orders implementing this distinction based on qualification.
- This marked the second legal creation of a varying benefit within the X Group itself.
- Due to this legal separation, Lower X Group (₹3,600) personnel cannot claim parity in pension with Higher X Group (₹6,200) personnel of the same rank and service length, as the varying benefit is qualification-based.
3. Homogeneity of Higher X Group Post-7th CPC
After the 7th CPC, all Higher X Group personnel receiving ₹6,200 X Group Pay formed a homogeneous class distinct from:
- Lower X Group (₹3,600 X Pay), and
- All Y Group personnel (no X Pay entitlement).
In this framework, pension parity between these distinct groups was not feasible under OROP, as the legally sanctioned varying benefit continued to apply.
4. Arbitrary Division in OROP-2 (Post-2016 vs. Pre-2016)
With the implementation of OROP-2 after the 7th CPC, the homogeneous Higher X Group (₹6,200) was arbitrarily divided again:
- Post-2016 retirees continued to receive Higher X Group Pay (₹6,200) for pension fixation.
- Pre-2016 retirees—despite holding the same AICTE-equivalent diploma qualifications—were downgraded to the Lower X Group Pay (₹3,600) category for pension purposes.
This third illegal & Arbitrary split in X Group Pay was:
- Not based on qualification, but solely on date of retirement,
- In violation of the 7th CPC recommendations and the Union Cabinet’s approval, which recognised qualification—not retirement date—as the basis for X Pay entitlement.
This has:
- Financially discriminated against Pre-2016 AICTE-qualified X Group veterans.
- Degraded their hard-earned diploma qualifications, obtained after rigorous training and passing centralised technical examinations in AICTE-approved institutes of the IAF.
Summary
From the 6th CPC to OROP-2, X Group Pay has evolved as a legally recognised varying benefit, but the OROP-2 implementation has created an unlawful “class within a class” among AICTE-qualified veterans, violating the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and Cabinet-approved pay structures.
Timeline of X Group Pay Evolution
Year / Event | Details |
2006 (6th CPC) | Introduction of ₹1,400 X Group Pay – legally sanctioned as varying benefit for X Group PBOR. |
2016 (7th CPC) | Enhancement & bifurcation: ₹6,200 for AICTE-qualified; ₹3,600 for non-AICTE-qualified. |
2016 onwards | Higher X Group forms homogeneous class distinct from Lower X Group & Y Group. |
2023 (OROP-2) | Arbitrary split: Pre-2016 downgraded to ₹3,600 despite same qualifications. |
No comments:
Post a Comment