Revised pay adds shine to defence forces

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The Centre’s approval of the revised recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission on Thursday, seems to have brought about a reason to cheer for the armed forces. Welcoming the Cabinet’s decision clearing the hike in emoluments for the military personnel, the armed forces said their demands seem to have been “suitably addressed”.

“Even as more details are awaited, prima-facie, all the concerns of the defence forces appear to have been suitably addressed. The increase in Military Service Pay of PBORs (personnel below officer rank) and compensation for middle-rung officers is particularly heartening,” Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said. Mehta is the current chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

On Thursday, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Cabinet cleared the revised recommendations, granting substantial hikes to five million government employees, with special attention being paid to military and paramilitary personnel.

The revision translates into a 20% hike over the 40% across-the-board increase the Pay Commission had recommended, as reported by FE earlier.

Under the revised package, at least three promotions have been assured for defence personnel and civilian employees under modified assured career progression (ACP) scheme. Civilians will be assured of promotions after 10, 20 and 30 years of service while junior and non-commissioned officers and personnel below officer rank (PBOR) would be eligible for this after 8, 16 and 24 years of service.

The Military Service Pay recommended by the Pay Commission has been enhanced from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 for PBORs and has been retained at Rs.6,000 for officers up to the rank of a brigadier.

Middle level officers—colonels, brigadiers and equivalent—are now placed in the highest pay band of PB-4. Lieutenant generals, overlooked for promotion as Army commanders due to lack of residual service, would now get the grade of an Army commander.