A CASE FOR URGENT REFIXATION OF PAY (BANDS/GRADE PAY) AND ALLOWANCES/PENSIONS OF ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL - W.E.F. 01.01.2006

Respected Sir,

The following is submitted for your kind perusal, please.

1. The 6th CPC recommendations have added more woes to the already beleaguered Armed Forces Personnel in respect of Pay, Pay Grade, and Pension related decisions, particularly to the lower/middle level functionaries. The comparison of army Sepoy with a police Constable appear to be main reason for this fiasco. The job criteria/service/working conditions of a Sepoy( and equivalent in AF/Navy) are distinctively different from that of a Constable.

2. The process of recruitment of army personnel emphasizes requirement of able bodied and fairly educated/intelligent youngsters so as to train them to the combatant service which is fairly technological and highly skilled. They are required to render most of their services usually in extreme geographical/climatic conditions, treacherous/inhospitable terrains along the borders of the country, facing the enemy forces. The professional hazard here is simply THE PHYSICAL THREAT OR RISK TO LIFE and hence stands unparalleled and comparable to any other service under the government. Apart from this known element of SUPREME SACRIFICE conditionality, the AF Personnel are subject to (a) Frequent Postings in all directions on borders and far away from native place/district/state, (b) Unfamiliar/inhospitable/extreme climatic conditions in places of posting, (c) Unsuitable/forced circumstances in not allowing families to stay at workstations, resulting in extra expenditure on maintenance of more than one establishment, (d) Inability to take care of the family/social obligations and protect family/ancestral properties due to prolonged absence from home. No amount of monetary compensation can substitute these peculiarities, which are simply not known to the Civilian employees.

3. It may be pointed out that the Sepoy 's pay scale was always more than the Constable/LDC in the IV and V CPC revisions of pay. It is unfortunate that this time in VI CPC revision, the Sepoy's pay has been fixed at the lowest along with Group D employees scales for some unfair, unknown and inexplicable reasons (the Peons,NCs(E), Lascars, Mess Waiters/Water Carriers etc are now clubbed with LDC/UDC and Sepoys). Furthermore, all other ranks of PBORs and also the Commissioned officers have been fixed their pay scales/grade pay , unjustly, @ of at least ONE RANK BELOW w.e.f. 1.1.06. This requires urgent correction. Therefore, to set right this unjust anomaly, the following suggested course of re fixation/revision of pay scales/grade pays would meet the ends of justice:-

(A) PAY SCALE AND GRADE PAY IN PAY BANDS
(a) PBORs (EQUIVALENTS IN ARMY/NAVY):

AIRCRAFTMAN - PB-1 AND GRADE PAY Rs.2400/-

LEADING A/C - PB-1 AND GRADE PAY Rs.2800/-

CORPORAL - PB-1 AND GRADE PAY Rs. 3600/-

SERGEANT - PB-2 AND GRADE PAY Rs.4200/-

JUNIOR W.O. - PB-2 AND GRADE PAY Rs4600/-

WARRANT OFFICER - PB-2 AND GRADE PAY Rs4800/-

MASTER W.O. - PB-2 AND GRADE PAY Rs5400/-

(HONY FG OFFR - PB-3 AND GRADE PAY Rs.6100/-

AND HONY FLT LT -PB-3 AND GRADE PAY Rs.6600/-)

(b) COMMISSIONED OFFICERS( The commissioned Officers' ranks have been subjected to avoidable reduction in pay scales from 1.1.86 onwards (rank pay de-linked/deducted from basic pay) and the matter is sub-judice (Maj Dhanapalan's case):-

FLIGHT CADET (ON JOINING ACADEMY) - PB-3 AND GRADE PAY Rs.5400/-

FLYING OFFICER - PB-3 AND GRADE PAY Rs.6100/-

FLIGHT LIEUTENANT- PB-3 AND GRADE PAY Rs.6600/-

SQUADRON LEADER - PB-3 AND GRADE PAY Rs.7600/-

WING COMMANDER - PB-4 AND GRADE PAY Rs.8900/-

GROUP CAPTAIN - PB-4 AND GRADE PAY Rs.10000/-

( B) MILITARY SERVICES PAY :- The existing fixed rates of Rs.2000/-(PBORs) and Rs.6000/- (Officers) appear be not commensurate with rank or length of service. Equity and natural justice demand that this pay be allowed akin to other allowances like HRA, DA etc. on certain percentage basis. Accordingly the following fair rate(s)is suggested:-

(a) PBORs/JCOs - @50% of Basic pay of the rank held or 1.5 times of Grade pay applicable to their rank, subject to a minimum of Rs.2000/-.

(b) Officers - @ 33%of Basic Pay of the rank held or 1.25 times of Grade Pay applicable to their rank, subject to a minimum or Rs.6000/-

(c) NCs(E): The NCs(E) also don service uniform (although they are non-combatants) but their service conditions are similar to PBORs. It would be just and proper they too get MSP @Rs.1500/-flat rate.

(C) PENSIONS :- The pensions of the Officers and PBORs may be revised to the 70% of the total emoluments (last 10 months average) or the last pay drawn, whichever is beneficial to them for the 15/20 year respective eligibility of pensions,(de-linking 33 year condition for earning full pension) for all w.e.f. 1.1.06. This will ensure all senior ranked PBORs/Officers get more pension than their juniors (past or present).

(D) MEDICAL ALLOWANCES:- Presently the Medical allowance is paid at a fixed rate of Rs.100/-p.m. to all non-CGHS covered PBORs. This is very meagre and negligible especially in the context of soaring rates of medicines or the consultation charges of the Doctors. So, in fitness of things, this allowance may be increased to Rs.2000/-pm w.e.f. 1.9.08.

(E)LATERAL ABSORPTION/MOVEMENT:- The general perception that the personnel of Armed Forces are fit for Security or Guards duties is ill-conceived and illogical. The VI CPC, therefore, strongly recommended for Lateral Absorption/movement of AF personnel to CPOs/CPMFs and other other organisations of Defence Ministry. But the PBORs/officers of the Armed Forces are well-trained and richly experienced in their respective fields. Their USP is the ability to work superbly under severe stress/strain and often ON THE FACE OF DANGER TO LIFE. Their disciplined life/work style fits them to any type of job with ease and a little bit of guidance. Therefore, it is in fitness of things that a flat 10% posts in all categories of Central/State Govt Depts may be earmarked for this purpose and implemented immediately to utilise the rich experienced work force and avoid loss of time and resources in future recruitment/training of fresh work force to that extent.

Yours faithfully, http://www.exsmpborwelfare.blogspot.com/ 16.8.2009

THE INDIAN AIR FORCE RANKS (PBORs) - A RE-LOOK AT OXFORD DICTIONARY MEANINGS

"Look into the Depths of Another's Soul and Listen, Not only with our Ears, but with Our Hearts and Imagination and our Silent Love" - Joye Kanelakos

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• AIRCRAFTSMAN - Lowest rank in Royal Air Force (Brit)
• LEADING AIRCRAFTSMAN - One rank just below Non Commissioned Offr rank in RAF. (Leading = Chief, most important.)
• CORPORAL - Army or Air Force NCO next below Sergeant.
• SERGEANT - Non Commissioned Army/Airforce Officer next below Warrant Officer.
• JUNIOR WARRANT OFFICER - ----
• WARRANT OFFICER - Officer ranking between Commissioned and NCOs.
• MASTER WARRANT OFFICER - -----
• (WARRANT = (noun) Thing that authorises an action, Written authorisation allowing police to carryout search or arrest, Money, Voucher, Certificate of service rank held by Warrant Officer, Justify, (vb), Authorisation, Certification, Document, Licence, Permit, Sanction, Warranty, entitlement.
• JUNIOR (WO) = Junior in age, standing or position (to WO)
• MASTER (WO) = (Noun) Person having control over, Ship's Captain, Commanding/ controlling officer, Main, Principal, Overcome, Conquer, Acquire complete knowledge of)

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• SOME GENERAL TERMS
• AIRMAN - Pilot or Member of Aircraft Crew, Aviator, Flier.
• AIRWOMAN -Woman Pilot or Member of Aircraft Crew.
• RECRUITMENT - Replenishment, Re-invigoration, new enlistment of servicemen for Army.
• ENLIST - Enrol in Army Service.
• ACTIVE SERVICE - Marked by Action, Energetic, Diligent, Military Service in Wartime.
• COMMISSION - Authority to perform task, Persons given such authority, Warrant conferring Officer rank in Armed Forces, Empower, Give authority to, Ready for Active Service.

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INTERESTINGLY, the following meanings could be found with regard to Police Dept.

• CONSTABLE - Police officer of lowest rank.
• INSPECTOR (OF POLICE) - Police officer next above Sergeant.
• SUPERINTENDENT (OF POLICE) - Police officer above the rank of Chief Inspector.

....AND all other ranks prefixing or suffixing with above as Head Constable, ASI, Sub Insp. CI, Dy SP, Sr SP, etc. as per their convenience.

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After enlightening ourselves with the meanings stated above, it can safely be surmised that neither the Pay Commission Cells of our Armed Forces (Army/Navy/Air Force) have properly projected the case of PBORs to the 6 th CPC thro' GOI MOD nor the 6th CPC themselves seem to have perceived the peculiarity /speciality of the Armed Forces in proper perspective in recommending the pay scales to AF Personnel (PBORs), resulting in the present fiasco.

A JOURNEY MAY BE SHORT OR LONG, BUT IT MUST START AT THE VERY SPOT ONE FINDS ONESELF.

C-IN-C INAUGURATED THE ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL

1. The much awaited justice system for the Armed Forces personnel has finally been inauguared by the President, Smt Pratibha Patil today. The details/modalities etc. be seen at http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51715

ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION SCHEME FOR ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL (PBORs)

1. The 6th CPC (Para 2.3.34) have recommended that a Time Bound Promotion Scheme (Assured Career Progression Scheme) in the case of PBORs, allowing 2 financial upgradations on completion of 10 and 20 yrs of service (while the Govt agreed for 3 upgradations on completion of 08,16/24 yrs). This will allow a benefit of one increment and a higher Grade Pay. As regards the other sugggestion relating to the MOD may set up a Inter Services Committee to consider the matter after the revised scheme of revising pay bands is implemented.

2. The VI CPC recommendations in r/o the CG Civilian Employees were already implemented (orders issued), the same in r/o the AF personnel are yet to be issued, although nearly a full year had elapsed.

3. Your honour is requested to personally intervene and order issuance of Orders on ACP for AF personnel, URGENTLY.

DISPENSATION OF LINKAGE OF FULL PENSION WITH 33 YEARS QUALIFYING SERVICE (VI CPC) OF DEFENCE FORCES PBORs - W.E.F. 1.1.2006

1. You are aware that the GOI approved the VI CPC recommendations(Para 5.1.33), on dispensation of Linkage of Full Pension with 33 years of Qualifying Service to earn pension in r/0 the CG civilian employees w.e.f. 1.11.2006 and the GOI( Dept of P&PW), Min of PPG&P issued orders(No.7/7/2008(P&PW(F) d/d 13.2.09). (The linkage of full pension with 33 years of qualifying service should be dispensed with. Once the employee renders minimum service of 20 years, pension should be paid at 50% of the average emoulments received during the last 10 months or the pay last drawn, whichever is more beneficial to the employee. Simultaneously, the extant of benefit of adding years of qualifying service for the purpose of computing pension related benefits should be withdrawn as it would no longer be relevant. - Accepted vide Govt Res.No.38/37/2008-P&PW(A) d/d 29.8.08)

2. Further, payment of full pension on completion of 20 years qualifying service will take effect only prospectively for all Central Govt servantsother than PBORs of Defence Forces, from the date it is accepted by the Govt.

3. Sir, the PBORs are eligible for pension on completion of 15 years of minimum reckonable service, but it is 20 years minimum for CG Employees. The above order authorises full pension at 50% of average pay of last 10 months or last pay drawn, whichever beneficial to the CG employee. The Pre-96 PBORs of Defence Forces are a disadvantaged lot as their full pensions are fixed/calculated on 50% pay on 33 years pro-rata reduction for less number of years of reckonable service. This is a total catastrophe to the PBORs and discrimination and also against equity aand natural justice.

4. You are requested to personally intervene and order for extending the above full pension entitlement of CG employees (on 20 yrs compl.50% average emoulments/last pay drawn whichever is beneficial) to the Defence Forces PBORs also, (on completion of 15 years of reckonable service) keeping in view their conditions of service. This would go a longway in improving the existing pension anamolies of PBORs to a great extent.

5. It is brought to your kind notice that although nearly a full year had elapsed but thee relevant orders for AF personnel (PBORs) are yet to be issued.

6. You are requested to personally intervene and order issuance of above GO in r/o PBORs URGENTLY.

COMMITTEE OF SECRETARIES HEADED BY CABINET SECRETARY : GIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS

1. In turning down OROP the Committee has relied on earlier committee and GOM reports, SC judgement on ESL petition filed as a sequel to the decision in DS Nakara & Ors Vs Union of India, and advice of the Ministry of Law.

The Committee also interacted with various ESM Associations, namely, the IESL and the Air Force Association to seek their views. The Associations gave the following major options in regard to OROP:
Option 1 Calculation of the pension of pre-1.1.2006 retirees by reckoning the highest of the pay in the pay band for each rank and thereafter application of weightage to this figure.
Option 2 Calculation of the pension of pre-1.1.2006 retirees by taking the mid-point between the minimum fitment of each rank in the revised pay band and maximum of the pay band and thereafter applying the weightage.
Option 3 Calculation of the pension of pre- 1.1.2006 retirees with reference to the notional maximum in the post- 1.1.2006 pay scales. Thereafter the weightage may be applied.
Options 1&2 were found not feasible as even the pension of post 1.1.2006 retirees is not calculated on this basis. “However, the option 3 is similar to the benefit granted in 2006 based on the recommendations of the GOM.”

Summary of Recommendations
PBOR
(1)Bring pre-10.10.1997 PBOR pensioners on par with post 10.10.1997 PBOR pensioners. (financial implication – 470.66 Crore per annum)
(2)Accept enhancement of classification allowance wef 1.1.2006 on notional basis (as in case MSP). This would benefit around 88000 PBOR. (Financial implication – 7.73 Crore per annum). To be implemented wef 1.1.2006 and pay arrears.
(3) Notional, weightage sans Arrears:
(a) Reckon pension of all pre 1.1.2006 PBOR pensioners with reference to a notional maximum in the post 1.1.2006 revised pay structure corresponding to the maximum of pre-Sixth Pay Commission pay scales as per fitment table of each rank.
(b) Also to continue with the enhanced weightage awarded by the GOM.
This will result in average monthly increase in the pension of pre 1.1.2006 PBOR in the range of Rs 800 to Rs 1400 for Gp Y depending on rank and years of service. Will benefit 12 lakh pre 1.1.2006 PBOR pensioners, (financial implication – 1636 Crore per annum). Being a new concession applies prospectively. No arrears.
Commissioned Officers
(4) Remove linkage of full pension with 33 years of qualifying service wef 1.1.2006 instead of 1.9.2008. Will benefit around 1100 officers (Army) whose pension would increase by about Rs 3000 pm (financial implication – 4.83 Crore per annum). Proposal emanates from Sixth PC; implement from 1.1.2006 and pay arrears.
(5) A separate pay scale starting at 67000 and going up to 79000 be created and all offrs at the level of Lt Gen/Addl Secy/equivalent be fixed in this scale. As a result, pension of pre-1.1.2006 Lt Gens will get fixed at 36500.00 and those of Addl Secys at 33500.00. Will benefit roughly 4000 offrs. (Financial implication – 25 Crore per annum). Proposal emanates from Sixth PC; implement from 1.1.2006 and pay arrears. The Committee has justified the increase for Lt Gens by stating that after the Sixth PC recommendations, the pensions of pre-1.1.2006 Brigs, Colonels and Lt Cols have greatly improved and in percentage terms there is very little difference the pension of pre-1.1.2006 and that with ref to minimum of fitment tables. The difference is around 2% at the level of Lt Col, 6% at the level of Colonel, 11% at the level of Brigadier, 13% at the level of Maj Gen. Only at the level of Lt Gen is there a difference of about 26%.
(Source : Reportmysignal blogspot)