Sixth Pay Commission: Pay parity row: Ex-servicemen stage hunger strike
21 Oct 2008
NEW DELHI: Haemorrhaging under the onslaught of an ever-mounting number of officers seeking premature retirement, coupled with the sheer inability to attract bright youngsters to their fold, the armed forces continue to simmer with anger over their new revised pay scales.
While serving armed forces personnel certainly cannot take to the streets in protest, veterans are not bound by any such restriction. Even as defence minister A K Antony told Parliament that there was a shortage of 13,830 officers in Forces, scores of ex-servicemen and their wives were detained by the police on Monday for trying to stage a hunger strike at India Gate against the 6th Pay Commission just a kilometre away.
"The pay commission has done grave injustice to the Forces. It is not the question of money but that of our status, izzat and self-esteem,’’ said Lt-Gen (retd) Raj Kadyan and Maj-Gen (retd) Satbir Singh, who were among the scores detained by the police. The veterans, incidentally, are also demanding the implementation of the 'one-rank, one-pension' principle.
All this comes even as the three-member ministerial committee, headed by foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee, is yet to finalize its recommendations about the "core concerns" raised by the armed forces about their revised pay scales.
The forces hold their extant parity with their civilian and paramilitary counterparts had been "destroyed" by the new pay scales, with the committee of secretaries actually introducing ‘‘far more serious anomalies’’ rather than resolving the ones present in the 6th Pay Commission report.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Sixth Pay Commission: Short service plan to beat army crunch
Sixth Pay Commission: Short service plan to beat army crunch
New Delhi, Oct. 20: The army will recruit more officers on short service commission to overcome a shortage after the Centre accepted a proposal to restructure the officers cadre, defence minister A.K. Antony said in Parliament today.
Army headquarters has proposed that the intake of permanent commissioned officers be reduced and a new scheme to recruit non-technical officers on short service commission be introduced, Antony said. The Centre has granted “in-principle” approval to the suggestion.
Officers on short service commission have the option of quitting service after 14 years or taking permanent commission if medically fit.
Last month, the Centre also announced that it was framing new rules to grant women permanent commission in non-combat wings of the armed forces.
In a separate answer to a question in Parliament, Antony said: “The shortage of officers in the three services is largely attributable to changes in the socio-economic environment and the resultant change in career preferences, better employment opportunities in other sectors, tough selection procedures and service conditions required for the armed forces, etc.”
Statistics released by the minister showed that there was a shortage of over 11,000 officers in the army alone (see chart) despite a drive in the last three years to increase recruitment.
The defence minister said the armed forces had detailed their grievances with the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.
He said no officer of the navy or air force had sought premature retirement on the ground of dissatisfaction with the Sixth Pay Commission report.
“However, in the army, since March 2008, a total number of 584 officers (less army medical corps/army dental corps and military nursing service) have applied for premature retirement/resignation on ground of non-empanelment, compassionate ground, low medical category, failure to acquire minimum technical qualification and better employment in civil life. However, from this it cannot be ascertained that they have sought an exit because of resentment against the Sixth Pay Commission report,” Antony said.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/
New Delhi, Oct. 20: The army will recruit more officers on short service commission to overcome a shortage after the Centre accepted a proposal to restructure the officers cadre, defence minister A.K. Antony said in Parliament today.
Army headquarters has proposed that the intake of permanent commissioned officers be reduced and a new scheme to recruit non-technical officers on short service commission be introduced, Antony said. The Centre has granted “in-principle” approval to the suggestion.
Officers on short service commission have the option of quitting service after 14 years or taking permanent commission if medically fit.
Last month, the Centre also announced that it was framing new rules to grant women permanent commission in non-combat wings of the armed forces.
In a separate answer to a question in Parliament, Antony said: “The shortage of officers in the three services is largely attributable to changes in the socio-economic environment and the resultant change in career preferences, better employment opportunities in other sectors, tough selection procedures and service conditions required for the armed forces, etc.”
Statistics released by the minister showed that there was a shortage of over 11,000 officers in the army alone (see chart) despite a drive in the last three years to increase recruitment.
The defence minister said the armed forces had detailed their grievances with the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.
He said no officer of the navy or air force had sought premature retirement on the ground of dissatisfaction with the Sixth Pay Commission report.
“However, in the army, since March 2008, a total number of 584 officers (less army medical corps/army dental corps and military nursing service) have applied for premature retirement/resignation on ground of non-empanelment, compassionate ground, low medical category, failure to acquire minimum technical qualification and better employment in civil life. However, from this it cannot be ascertained that they have sought an exit because of resentment against the Sixth Pay Commission report,” Antony said.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/
Sixth Pay Commission: Antony blames socio-economic milieu for officer shortage
Sixth Pay Commission: Antony blames socio-economic milieu for officer shortage
Statesman News Service
NEW DELHI, Oct. 20: The three wings of the defence forces face a shortage of 13,830 officers largely due to the socio-economic environment, the resultant change in career preferences, better employment opportunities in other sectors and tough selection procedures, the Lok Sabha was told today.
The defence minister, Mr AK Antony, said the officer shortage in the army is 11,119, in the navy 1359 and in the air force 1352.
He said a number of steps have been taken to motivate the service personnel with all officers including those in Short Service Commission (SSC) being made eligible to hold substantive rank of Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel and equivalents after 2, 6 and 13 years of reckonable service respectively.
Joint exercises: The Indian defence forces have in the last three years conducted joint military exercises with China, Maldives, Mongolia, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Thailand, Oman, Sri Lanka, Brazil, South Africa, UK, USA and France, Mr Antony said.
On pre-mature retirement over the pay commission report, he said no officer in any of the three defence forces have done so though in the Army since March 2008, a total of 584 officers (less Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Service) have applied for pre-mature retirement or resignation but it cannot be ascertained that it was due to resentment against Sixth Pay Commission Report.
Ceasefire violations: Since January this year, 34 incidents of firing on Indian positions have taken place on the LOC, Mr Antony said. The minister said 58 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan have taken place since the ceasefire came into effect in November 2003. Indian troops suffered four fatal and 13 non-fatal casualties due to such firings. Defence equipment: During 2007-08, the expenditure incurred on import of defence equipment was Rs 15,026.68 crore with the imports being from Russia, USA, UK, France, Germany and Israel. On an average, the expenditure on capital acquisition from indigenous sources has been above 71 per cent during last three years, Mr Antony said.
Source: http://www.thestatesman.net/
Statesman News Service
NEW DELHI, Oct. 20: The three wings of the defence forces face a shortage of 13,830 officers largely due to the socio-economic environment, the resultant change in career preferences, better employment opportunities in other sectors and tough selection procedures, the Lok Sabha was told today.
The defence minister, Mr AK Antony, said the officer shortage in the army is 11,119, in the navy 1359 and in the air force 1352.
He said a number of steps have been taken to motivate the service personnel with all officers including those in Short Service Commission (SSC) being made eligible to hold substantive rank of Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel and equivalents after 2, 6 and 13 years of reckonable service respectively.
Joint exercises: The Indian defence forces have in the last three years conducted joint military exercises with China, Maldives, Mongolia, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Thailand, Oman, Sri Lanka, Brazil, South Africa, UK, USA and France, Mr Antony said.
On pre-mature retirement over the pay commission report, he said no officer in any of the three defence forces have done so though in the Army since March 2008, a total of 584 officers (less Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Service) have applied for pre-mature retirement or resignation but it cannot be ascertained that it was due to resentment against Sixth Pay Commission Report.
Ceasefire violations: Since January this year, 34 incidents of firing on Indian positions have taken place on the LOC, Mr Antony said. The minister said 58 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan have taken place since the ceasefire came into effect in November 2003. Indian troops suffered four fatal and 13 non-fatal casualties due to such firings. Defence equipment: During 2007-08, the expenditure incurred on import of defence equipment was Rs 15,026.68 crore with the imports being from Russia, USA, UK, France, Germany and Israel. On an average, the expenditure on capital acquisition from indigenous sources has been above 71 per cent during last three years, Mr Antony said.
Source: http://www.thestatesman.net/
Sixth Pay Commission: Govt seeks House nod for additional expenditure
Sixth Pay Commission: Govt seeks House nod for additional expenditure
October 21, 2008
The Union government today sought Parliament approval for an additional cash outgo of Rs 1,05,613 crore to meet the extra financial liabilities expected to arise during the ongoing fiscal year.
This net cash outgo is part of the Rs 2,37,286 crore additional expenditure for which the government has sought Parliamentary approval in the first batch of supplementary demands for grants in 2008-09, tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister P Chidambaram today.
The additional money will be used to meet expenditure towards the increased salaries of central government employees due to the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission award, the farm debt waiver and relief scheme, enhanced allocation towards rural employment schemes and the fertiliser subsidies among others.
Of the total gross additional expenditure of Rs 2,37,286 crore, the government expects savings of ministries and departments, and enhanced receipts or recoveries to aggregate to Rs 1,31,672 crore.
The demands for grants is scheduled to be approved by Parliament this week before it is adjourned sine-die on October 24.
The government usually submits three supplementary demands for grants for Parliament approval during a fiscal year, with the third and last coming every March.
The additional expenditure being incurred by the government includes Rs 2,913 crore towards capital payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for India’s quota increase.
Of the total additional cash expenditure, Rs 88,532 crore will be towards non-Plan expenditure and Rs 17,082 crore as additional allotment for programmes that had a mention in the Union Budget for 2008-09.
The current demand for additional cash expenditure by the government is about 15 per cent of the total expenditure estimate of Rs 7,50,884 crore in the 2008-09 Budget.
Source: http://www.business-standard.com/
October 21, 2008
The Union government today sought Parliament approval for an additional cash outgo of Rs 1,05,613 crore to meet the extra financial liabilities expected to arise during the ongoing fiscal year.
This net cash outgo is part of the Rs 2,37,286 crore additional expenditure for which the government has sought Parliamentary approval in the first batch of supplementary demands for grants in 2008-09, tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister P Chidambaram today.
The additional money will be used to meet expenditure towards the increased salaries of central government employees due to the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission award, the farm debt waiver and relief scheme, enhanced allocation towards rural employment schemes and the fertiliser subsidies among others.
Of the total gross additional expenditure of Rs 2,37,286 crore, the government expects savings of ministries and departments, and enhanced receipts or recoveries to aggregate to Rs 1,31,672 crore.
The demands for grants is scheduled to be approved by Parliament this week before it is adjourned sine-die on October 24.
The government usually submits three supplementary demands for grants for Parliament approval during a fiscal year, with the third and last coming every March.
The additional expenditure being incurred by the government includes Rs 2,913 crore towards capital payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for India’s quota increase.
Of the total additional cash expenditure, Rs 88,532 crore will be towards non-Plan expenditure and Rs 17,082 crore as additional allotment for programmes that had a mention in the Union Budget for 2008-09.
The current demand for additional cash expenditure by the government is about 15 per cent of the total expenditure estimate of Rs 7,50,884 crore in the 2008-09 Budget.
Source: http://www.business-standard.com/
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sixth Central Pay Commission: DRDO facing attrition problem: Defence Minister
Sixth Central Pay Commission: DRDO facing attrition problem: Defence Minister
20 Oct 2008, 2214 hrs IST, PTI
NEW DELHI: Country's premier defence research organisation DRDO is facing the attrition problems as 785 defence scientists have resigned in the last three years.
The government has offered various incentives for scientists in the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) report, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.
"A number of incentives were recommended by the CPC, which have been accepted and implemented by the government, " defence minister A K Antony said in a written reply to a question on exodus of scientists from DRDO.
Incentives to arrest the attrition rate in DRDO include providing career enhancement opportunities to scientists by granting them study leaves, sending them to attend conferences and seminars and long term training courses.
"DRDO is providing study leaves to scientists for acquiring higher qualifications like PhDs, Masters Degrees. Scientists are sponsored to go and attend conferences and seminars and for long term courses for research both within and outside the country," Antony said.
The minister added that a lot of stress was being laid upon by DRDO to mentor young scientists along with improving their work environment and social life in DRDO campuses.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
20 Oct 2008, 2214 hrs IST, PTI
NEW DELHI: Country's premier defence research organisation DRDO is facing the attrition problems as 785 defence scientists have resigned in the last three years.
The government has offered various incentives for scientists in the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) report, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.
"A number of incentives were recommended by the CPC, which have been accepted and implemented by the government, " defence minister A K Antony said in a written reply to a question on exodus of scientists from DRDO.
Incentives to arrest the attrition rate in DRDO include providing career enhancement opportunities to scientists by granting them study leaves, sending them to attend conferences and seminars and long term training courses.
"DRDO is providing study leaves to scientists for acquiring higher qualifications like PhDs, Masters Degrees. Scientists are sponsored to go and attend conferences and seminars and for long term courses for research both within and outside the country," Antony said.
The minister added that a lot of stress was being laid upon by DRDO to mentor young scientists along with improving their work environment and social life in DRDO campuses.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Sixth pay commission: 584 Army officers seek pre-mature retirement: Antony
Sixth pay commission: 584 Army officers seek pre-mature retirement: Antony
New Delhi, Oct 20: As many as 584 officers from the Army have sought pre-mature retirement from services since March this year but the Government said it was not due to resentment over the sixth pay commission recommendations.
"No officer of navy, air force has sought pre-mature retirement on the ground of dissatisfaction with the Six Central Pay Commission report. However, in the Army, since March 2008, a total number of 584 officers have applied for premature retirement/resignation," Defence Minister A K Antony said replying to a question in the Lok Sabha.
Antony said the officials seek retirement on the "ground of non-empanelment, compassionate ground, low medical category, failure to acquire minimum technical qualification and better employment in civil life".
"From this, it cannot be ascertained that they have sought an exit due to resentment against the Sixth Pay Commission Report," he said.
The Defence Services, led by their Chiefs, have refused to implement the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, alleging that their status and honour were compromised.
Antony, while replying to a question by BJP's V K Malhotra and Santosh Gangwar, said the Services had submitted a detailed representation to the Government brining out certain issues arising out of the Sixth Pay Commission report.
"The Government has reached a decision on most of the issues," he said adding that a few more subsequent issues have been raised by the Services namely grant of higher grade pay to Service officers, placement of Lt-Col and equivalents in Pay Band 4 and reinstatement of pensionary weightages for Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR).
The Centre on September 25 set up a committee headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee with Antony and Finance Minister P Chidambaram as members to look into the grievances of the armed forces.
"The Government has decided that External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will look into the issues raised by the Services and give recommendations in consultation with the Defence Minister and Finance Minister," Antony said.
After the government notification was issued on August 29, issues of "anomalies" in the pay for officers were first raised by Air chief Fali Homi Major in his letter in his capacity as acting Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee.
Chiefs of Navy and Army too have voiced their resentment in letters to the government.
The armed forces are demanding that the government place Lieutenant-Colonels and their equivalents in Pay Band-4, ensure parity in Grade Pay of officers from Captains to Brigadiers with their civilian counterparts, accord the Higher Administrative Grade Plus status in pay scales to Lieutenant Generals and restore 70 per cent pensionary benefits to jawans.
Mukherjee held discussions with Chidambaram last week on the issue after consultations with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Girl asks Rahul about safety of women in Delhi Ramnagar (Uttarakhand), Oct 20 (PTI) Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, who began his three-day tour to Uttarakhand today, was asked by a young girl why women are not safe in Delhi.
"Girls are not safe in Delhi. What is your Congress government doing in this regard," was the poser to Rahul. "I cannot say what the government is doing. Political leaders do not have much information. I will definitely look into the matter," said Rahul, as he faced a volley of questions from college girls at Ramnagar.
As he arrived in this Corbett City, Rahul drove to Dhikuli area where he interacted with nearly 2,000 girls from different colleges of Kumaon region.
Another girl asked Rahul why the voice of the youth is being suppressed in Congress.
To this question, Rahul said: "It is not true. NSUI is a very good organisation where we welcome new talent and one can easily create a niche at the national level."
The programme "Talaash Nai Pratibha Ki" (search for new talent) was organised by NSUI in which its top leaders like Meenakshi Natrajan and Amrita Dhawan were also present.
Earlier in the town, police took into custody nearly a dozen ABVP workers for showing black flags and raising slogans against Rahul.
Savitri Sharma asked Rahul whether he took a bath after having food with Dalits.
"You wait for another four years, you will get the answer in Uttar Pradesh," was his refrain.
When a girl wanted to know about his reaction to the alleged beating of north Indians in Mumbai, Rahul said some political parties are indulging in petty politics for small gains.
Bureau Report
http://www.zeenews.com/
New Delhi, Oct 20: As many as 584 officers from the Army have sought pre-mature retirement from services since March this year but the Government said it was not due to resentment over the sixth pay commission recommendations.
"No officer of navy, air force has sought pre-mature retirement on the ground of dissatisfaction with the Six Central Pay Commission report. However, in the Army, since March 2008, a total number of 584 officers have applied for premature retirement/resignation," Defence Minister A K Antony said replying to a question in the Lok Sabha.
Antony said the officials seek retirement on the "ground of non-empanelment, compassionate ground, low medical category, failure to acquire minimum technical qualification and better employment in civil life".
"From this, it cannot be ascertained that they have sought an exit due to resentment against the Sixth Pay Commission Report," he said.
The Defence Services, led by their Chiefs, have refused to implement the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, alleging that their status and honour were compromised.
Antony, while replying to a question by BJP's V K Malhotra and Santosh Gangwar, said the Services had submitted a detailed representation to the Government brining out certain issues arising out of the Sixth Pay Commission report.
"The Government has reached a decision on most of the issues," he said adding that a few more subsequent issues have been raised by the Services namely grant of higher grade pay to Service officers, placement of Lt-Col and equivalents in Pay Band 4 and reinstatement of pensionary weightages for Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR).
The Centre on September 25 set up a committee headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee with Antony and Finance Minister P Chidambaram as members to look into the grievances of the armed forces.
"The Government has decided that External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will look into the issues raised by the Services and give recommendations in consultation with the Defence Minister and Finance Minister," Antony said.
After the government notification was issued on August 29, issues of "anomalies" in the pay for officers were first raised by Air chief Fali Homi Major in his letter in his capacity as acting Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee.
Chiefs of Navy and Army too have voiced their resentment in letters to the government.
The armed forces are demanding that the government place Lieutenant-Colonels and their equivalents in Pay Band-4, ensure parity in Grade Pay of officers from Captains to Brigadiers with their civilian counterparts, accord the Higher Administrative Grade Plus status in pay scales to Lieutenant Generals and restore 70 per cent pensionary benefits to jawans.
Mukherjee held discussions with Chidambaram last week on the issue after consultations with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Girl asks Rahul about safety of women in Delhi Ramnagar (Uttarakhand), Oct 20 (PTI) Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, who began his three-day tour to Uttarakhand today, was asked by a young girl why women are not safe in Delhi.
"Girls are not safe in Delhi. What is your Congress government doing in this regard," was the poser to Rahul. "I cannot say what the government is doing. Political leaders do not have much information. I will definitely look into the matter," said Rahul, as he faced a volley of questions from college girls at Ramnagar.
As he arrived in this Corbett City, Rahul drove to Dhikuli area where he interacted with nearly 2,000 girls from different colleges of Kumaon region.
Another girl asked Rahul why the voice of the youth is being suppressed in Congress.
To this question, Rahul said: "It is not true. NSUI is a very good organisation where we welcome new talent and one can easily create a niche at the national level."
The programme "Talaash Nai Pratibha Ki" (search for new talent) was organised by NSUI in which its top leaders like Meenakshi Natrajan and Amrita Dhawan were also present.
Earlier in the town, police took into custody nearly a dozen ABVP workers for showing black flags and raising slogans against Rahul.
Savitri Sharma asked Rahul whether he took a bath after having food with Dalits.
"You wait for another four years, you will get the answer in Uttar Pradesh," was his refrain.
When a girl wanted to know about his reaction to the alleged beating of north Indians in Mumbai, Rahul said some political parties are indulging in petty politics for small gains.
Bureau Report
http://www.zeenews.com/
Sixth Central Pay Commission: Resentment Among Personnel Against Report of Sixth Pay Commission
Sixth Central Pay Commission: Resentment Among Personnel Against Report of Sixth Pay Commission
Monday, October 20, 2008
Lok Sabha
The Services had submitted a detailed representation to the Government bringing out certain issues arising out of the report of the Sixth Central Pay Commission. The Government has decided on most of the issues. Subsequently, few more issues have been raised by the Services viz. grant of higher grade pay to Service officers, placement of Lt. Col. and equivalent in PB-4, reinstatement of pensionary weightages for Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR), providing HAG + Pay Band for Lt. Generals and equivalent holding post of Principal Staff Officer, Director Generals, Controllers, etc.
No officer of Navy, Air Force has sought pre-mature retirement (PMR) on the ground of dis-satisfaction with the Sixth Central Pay Commission Report. However, in the Army, since March, 2008 a total number of 584 officers (less Army Medical Corps/Army Dental Corps & Military Nursing Service) have applied for pre-mature retirement/resignation on ground of non-empanelment, compassionate ground, low medical category, failure to acquire minimum technical qualification and better employment in civil life. However, from this it cannot be ascertained that they have sought an exit due to resentment against Sixth Pay Commission Report.
The Government have decided that the Minister of External Affairs will look into the issues raised by the Services and give recommendations, in consultation with the Defence Minister and the Finance Minister.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Prof Vijay Kumar Malhotra and Shri Santosh Gangwar in Lok Sabha today.
Samir/RAJ
Source: http://pib.nic.in/
Tags: Sixth Pay Commission,6th Pay Commission,6th Central Pay Commission
Monday, October 20, 2008
Lok Sabha
The Services had submitted a detailed representation to the Government bringing out certain issues arising out of the report of the Sixth Central Pay Commission. The Government has decided on most of the issues. Subsequently, few more issues have been raised by the Services viz. grant of higher grade pay to Service officers, placement of Lt. Col. and equivalent in PB-4, reinstatement of pensionary weightages for Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR), providing HAG + Pay Band for Lt. Generals and equivalent holding post of Principal Staff Officer, Director Generals, Controllers, etc.
No officer of Navy, Air Force has sought pre-mature retirement (PMR) on the ground of dis-satisfaction with the Sixth Central Pay Commission Report. However, in the Army, since March, 2008 a total number of 584 officers (less Army Medical Corps/Army Dental Corps & Military Nursing Service) have applied for pre-mature retirement/resignation on ground of non-empanelment, compassionate ground, low medical category, failure to acquire minimum technical qualification and better employment in civil life. However, from this it cannot be ascertained that they have sought an exit due to resentment against Sixth Pay Commission Report.
The Government have decided that the Minister of External Affairs will look into the issues raised by the Services and give recommendations, in consultation with the Defence Minister and the Finance Minister.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Prof Vijay Kumar Malhotra and Shri Santosh Gangwar in Lok Sabha today.
Samir/RAJ
Source: http://pib.nic.in/
Tags: Sixth Pay Commission,6th Pay Commission,6th Central Pay Commission
Sixth Pay Commission: Armed forces short of 13,830 officers
Sixth Pay Commission: Armed forces short of 13,830 officers
The armed forces are facing a shortage of 13,830 officers. This was stated by Defence Minister A K Antony while replying to a question in Parliament on shortage of officers in the armed forces.
"There is a shortage of 11,119 officers in army, 13,59 officers in navy and 13,52 officers in air force. Armed forces have 53,849 officers against a sanctioned strength of 67,679," Antony said.
The Defence Minister listed the various steps taken up to tackle the shortfall of officers by the government. These steps include extension of Short Service Commission (SSC) officers, implementation of both phases of A V Singh Committee report and implementation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) report.
"Tenure of SSC officers has been increased to 14 years, Phase 1 of A V Singh committee was implemented earlier, which resulted in upgrade of 750 Lieutenant-Colonel level posts to the Colonel level,” he said.
"Phase 2 of the report has also been cleared for implementation creating or upgrading 1,896 additional posts in ranks of Colonel, Brigadier, Major-General and Lieutenant- General and equivalents in other two services," the Defence minister said.
Antony said implementation of the 6th pay commission recommendations will help in arresting shortfall of officers in armed forces.
Source: http://howrah.org/
Tags: Sixth Pay Commission,6th Pay Commission,6th Central Pay Commission
The armed forces are facing a shortage of 13,830 officers. This was stated by Defence Minister A K Antony while replying to a question in Parliament on shortage of officers in the armed forces.
"There is a shortage of 11,119 officers in army, 13,59 officers in navy and 13,52 officers in air force. Armed forces have 53,849 officers against a sanctioned strength of 67,679," Antony said.
The Defence Minister listed the various steps taken up to tackle the shortfall of officers by the government. These steps include extension of Short Service Commission (SSC) officers, implementation of both phases of A V Singh Committee report and implementation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) report.
"Tenure of SSC officers has been increased to 14 years, Phase 1 of A V Singh committee was implemented earlier, which resulted in upgrade of 750 Lieutenant-Colonel level posts to the Colonel level,” he said.
"Phase 2 of the report has also been cleared for implementation creating or upgrading 1,896 additional posts in ranks of Colonel, Brigadier, Major-General and Lieutenant- General and equivalents in other two services," the Defence minister said.
Antony said implementation of the 6th pay commission recommendations will help in arresting shortfall of officers in armed forces.
Source: http://howrah.org/
Tags: Sixth Pay Commission,6th Pay Commission,6th Central Pay Commission
Sixth Pay Commission: Too serious a business to be left to the car dealer
Sixth Pay Commission: Too serious a business to be left to the car dealer
When you buy a car, usually the car dealer offers first-year insurance free of cost. Instead of passively accepting this freebie, look closely at the policy to see if it offers you comprehensive and adequate cover
September and October have always been favourable months for car manufacturers as the festive season propels their sales higher. This year, besides festive fervour, the Sixth Pay Commission's payouts have filled car showrooms to the brim with prospective buyers. According to industry estimates and company figures, in September the top six manufacturers in India notched up a 2.4 per cent year-on-year rise in car sales.
If you are buying a car this season, pay heed to the insurance cover and make sure that it is comprehensive and adequate. Vehicle insurance protects you against several risks: theft, damage, death of driver or passenger, and damage caused by your car to some other vehicle, person or property. Although tailor-made covers have not debuted in the market yet, cut throat competition is working in the interest of consumers. With the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) freeing up prices in the general insurance space — motor, fire and engineering — in January this year, there is much scope for you to bargain and get the best possible rate.
Tumbling rates, soaring discounts
Motor insurance consists of two main parts: own damage and third-party liability. According to the law of the land, every vehicle owner must have at least third-party liability cover. The regulator has freed only the own damage insurance cover rates so far. Depending on the size and the make of the car, own damage rates have come down almost 20 to 40 per cent. Says Rahul Aggarwal, chief executive officer, Optima Brokers: "The premium for a comprehensive insurance cover has fallen between 25 and 40 per cent depending on the type of car. The fall has been more in case of premium cars that cost Rs 10 lakh and above. For smaller cars like the Santro and Maruti Alto, the drop has been nearly 20 per cent."
While the regulator freed up pricing in January, the premium rates fell steeply only during the last four months. Insurers initially started off by offering 10 per cent discount, then slowly graduated to 20 per cent, and now are giving discounts as high as 40 per cent.
Main components of the policy
A vehicle insurance cover has the following main components:
Own damage. This cover entitles you to claim compensation in the event of damage or theft of your vehicle. Various factors dictate the premium of a standard policy: type of vehicle, its engine capacity, its age, and the region in which it is registered. While these are the broad parameters, the exact premium for your car is calculated on the basis of its insured declared value (IDV). When buying a policy, never compromise on this value as this is the amount that the insurance company will pay you if your car gets completely damaged or stolen. Beware: a steep discount in premium might mean a lower IDV. While buying the policy always ask for the exact IDV to get an idea of the insurance amount you are likely to get in case of a casualty. The IDV of a vehicle declines with age (insurers generally give a depreciation schedule for up to five years).
Third party. According to the Insurance Act, it is compulsory to have third-party liability cover. In metropolitian cities it becomes imperative to have such a cover due to higher chances of accidents.
"Third party liability under the insurance law in India is unlimited," says M. Ramadoss, chairman and managing director, Oriental General Insurance. That means if you hit a person on the road, then the liability is unlimited. In case of property damage, the liability is limited to Rs 7.5 lakh.
Points to remember
Here are key aspects that you should keep in mind while buying vehicle insurance:
Premium. The insurance regulator has freed the pricing of products but not the wordings. Therefore, the whole industry is selling more or less the same product. Pricing is the only tool in their hands for driving sales. Use this to your advantage. "A customer must insist on getting quotes from different companies. Ask a friend who has the same car what premium he pays. By doing a bit of legwork and haggling, a customer can get discounts as high as 40-50 per cent," says Ramadoss.
You can bargain for a lower premium in case you have a no-claim (or fairly low claim record) history. “Longer the claim history, higher is the premium levied by companies,”says Eswaranatarajan N., head, motor insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance.
Moreover, keep in mind that you can transfer the vehicle insurance from your old vehicle to the new one. “The no-claim bonus goes with the driver and not with the vehicle. So when you sell a vehicle and buy a new one, the no-claim bonus from the earlier vehicle can be transferred to the new one,” he adds.
Co-payment clause. Watch out for the co-payment clause, also known as excess. While offering a lower premium, insurers pass on some of the risk to the customer using this clause. In case of a claim, the expense will then have to be borne by both the insurer and the insured. Hence, avoid the co-payment clause even if it means paying a higher premium.
Claims and customer service. These are the two most important criteria that should be kept in mind while buying or renewing a policy. Today one out of every three vehicles meets with an accident. Hence customer service plays an prominent role. According to Darvesh Panchal, practice leader, Prudent Brokers, "The ease of getting a claim settled without any hassles is a big factor in motor insurance. Always look for companies that offer cashless facility (i.e., they get the vehicle repaired at an empanelled garage). Also check out what other value-added services they provide."
A few dealers or brokers help their customers in getting the claim. "The most important thing to look for in the dealer or the intermediary is the services he offers. See how qualified and geared up the intermediary is to provide claim support and information," says Aggarwal.
In case of total loss or theft, it takes more than three months to settle the claim. In case of theft, the insured has to lodge a complaint in the local police station and wait till it issues a non-traceable report. The process takes about three months. And needless to add, it requires you to make several rounds of the court and the police station. It is only after this report is submitted that the insurance company starts its work of paying you the claim. Any help that you can get from the broker or dealer will come as welcome relief.
More regulatory changes needed
While the regulator has freed up pricing control, general insurance companies do not yet enjoy the freedom to alter the wordings of the policy. Says Eswaranatarajan N., “Today only the premiums have been de-tarriffed and not the products. What we sell in the market is basically one product with a common set of policy wordings. To open up the market and in the interest of the consumer, it is anticipated that the regulator will introduce flexibility in wordings and allow new products.”
N.K. Kedia, director (marketing), Iffco Tokio General Insurance too feels the same. “Freedom in wordings would allow us to come out with innovative products. The industry would then develop on the lines of matured markets. This move will be in the consumer's interest as it will allow introduction of new products, and lead to greater choice."
Ramadoss of Oriental Insurance is of the view that greater regulatory vigil is the need of the hour. “There should be strict vigilance against uninsured vehicles. The government should take action against them. Because so many vehicles remain uninsured, there is a lot of leakage of premium. After this is taken care of, premium rates will come down further,” he says.
Till these regulatory changes come about, make the best of the current regime and get yourself a comprehensive cover at the lowest possible cost.
Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/
When you buy a car, usually the car dealer offers first-year insurance free of cost. Instead of passively accepting this freebie, look closely at the policy to see if it offers you comprehensive and adequate cover
September and October have always been favourable months for car manufacturers as the festive season propels their sales higher. This year, besides festive fervour, the Sixth Pay Commission's payouts have filled car showrooms to the brim with prospective buyers. According to industry estimates and company figures, in September the top six manufacturers in India notched up a 2.4 per cent year-on-year rise in car sales.
If you are buying a car this season, pay heed to the insurance cover and make sure that it is comprehensive and adequate. Vehicle insurance protects you against several risks: theft, damage, death of driver or passenger, and damage caused by your car to some other vehicle, person or property. Although tailor-made covers have not debuted in the market yet, cut throat competition is working in the interest of consumers. With the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) freeing up prices in the general insurance space — motor, fire and engineering — in January this year, there is much scope for you to bargain and get the best possible rate.
Tumbling rates, soaring discounts
Motor insurance consists of two main parts: own damage and third-party liability. According to the law of the land, every vehicle owner must have at least third-party liability cover. The regulator has freed only the own damage insurance cover rates so far. Depending on the size and the make of the car, own damage rates have come down almost 20 to 40 per cent. Says Rahul Aggarwal, chief executive officer, Optima Brokers: "The premium for a comprehensive insurance cover has fallen between 25 and 40 per cent depending on the type of car. The fall has been more in case of premium cars that cost Rs 10 lakh and above. For smaller cars like the Santro and Maruti Alto, the drop has been nearly 20 per cent."
While the regulator freed up pricing in January, the premium rates fell steeply only during the last four months. Insurers initially started off by offering 10 per cent discount, then slowly graduated to 20 per cent, and now are giving discounts as high as 40 per cent.
Main components of the policy
A vehicle insurance cover has the following main components:
Own damage. This cover entitles you to claim compensation in the event of damage or theft of your vehicle. Various factors dictate the premium of a standard policy: type of vehicle, its engine capacity, its age, and the region in which it is registered. While these are the broad parameters, the exact premium for your car is calculated on the basis of its insured declared value (IDV). When buying a policy, never compromise on this value as this is the amount that the insurance company will pay you if your car gets completely damaged or stolen. Beware: a steep discount in premium might mean a lower IDV. While buying the policy always ask for the exact IDV to get an idea of the insurance amount you are likely to get in case of a casualty. The IDV of a vehicle declines with age (insurers generally give a depreciation schedule for up to five years).
Third party. According to the Insurance Act, it is compulsory to have third-party liability cover. In metropolitian cities it becomes imperative to have such a cover due to higher chances of accidents.
"Third party liability under the insurance law in India is unlimited," says M. Ramadoss, chairman and managing director, Oriental General Insurance. That means if you hit a person on the road, then the liability is unlimited. In case of property damage, the liability is limited to Rs 7.5 lakh.
Points to remember
Here are key aspects that you should keep in mind while buying vehicle insurance:
Premium. The insurance regulator has freed the pricing of products but not the wordings. Therefore, the whole industry is selling more or less the same product. Pricing is the only tool in their hands for driving sales. Use this to your advantage. "A customer must insist on getting quotes from different companies. Ask a friend who has the same car what premium he pays. By doing a bit of legwork and haggling, a customer can get discounts as high as 40-50 per cent," says Ramadoss.
You can bargain for a lower premium in case you have a no-claim (or fairly low claim record) history. “Longer the claim history, higher is the premium levied by companies,”says Eswaranatarajan N., head, motor insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance.
Moreover, keep in mind that you can transfer the vehicle insurance from your old vehicle to the new one. “The no-claim bonus goes with the driver and not with the vehicle. So when you sell a vehicle and buy a new one, the no-claim bonus from the earlier vehicle can be transferred to the new one,” he adds.
Co-payment clause. Watch out for the co-payment clause, also known as excess. While offering a lower premium, insurers pass on some of the risk to the customer using this clause. In case of a claim, the expense will then have to be borne by both the insurer and the insured. Hence, avoid the co-payment clause even if it means paying a higher premium.
Claims and customer service. These are the two most important criteria that should be kept in mind while buying or renewing a policy. Today one out of every three vehicles meets with an accident. Hence customer service plays an prominent role. According to Darvesh Panchal, practice leader, Prudent Brokers, "The ease of getting a claim settled without any hassles is a big factor in motor insurance. Always look for companies that offer cashless facility (i.e., they get the vehicle repaired at an empanelled garage). Also check out what other value-added services they provide."
A few dealers or brokers help their customers in getting the claim. "The most important thing to look for in the dealer or the intermediary is the services he offers. See how qualified and geared up the intermediary is to provide claim support and information," says Aggarwal.
In case of total loss or theft, it takes more than three months to settle the claim. In case of theft, the insured has to lodge a complaint in the local police station and wait till it issues a non-traceable report. The process takes about three months. And needless to add, it requires you to make several rounds of the court and the police station. It is only after this report is submitted that the insurance company starts its work of paying you the claim. Any help that you can get from the broker or dealer will come as welcome relief.
More regulatory changes needed
While the regulator has freed up pricing control, general insurance companies do not yet enjoy the freedom to alter the wordings of the policy. Says Eswaranatarajan N., “Today only the premiums have been de-tarriffed and not the products. What we sell in the market is basically one product with a common set of policy wordings. To open up the market and in the interest of the consumer, it is anticipated that the regulator will introduce flexibility in wordings and allow new products.”
N.K. Kedia, director (marketing), Iffco Tokio General Insurance too feels the same. “Freedom in wordings would allow us to come out with innovative products. The industry would then develop on the lines of matured markets. This move will be in the consumer's interest as it will allow introduction of new products, and lead to greater choice."
Ramadoss of Oriental Insurance is of the view that greater regulatory vigil is the need of the hour. “There should be strict vigilance against uninsured vehicles. The government should take action against them. Because so many vehicles remain uninsured, there is a lot of leakage of premium. After this is taken care of, premium rates will come down further,” he says.
Till these regulatory changes come about, make the best of the current regime and get yourself a comprehensive cover at the lowest possible cost.
Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/
Sixth Pay Commission: Sixth pay panel triggers hike for PSU employees
Sixth Pay Commission: Sixth pay panel triggers hike for PSU employees
20 Oct, 2008, 0123 hrs IST,Dheeraj Tiwari, ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: The government has finally decided to revise the pay scales of employees working in 69 public sector undertakings (PSUs) on the lines of the Sixth Pay Commission offered to central government staff.
The benefit of pay revision will be allowed only to employees of those CPSUs that are not making losses and are in a position to absorb the additional expenditure from their own resources without any budgetary support.
The PSUs include Mahanagar Telecom Nigam (MTNL), Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), NHPC and North-Eastern Electric Power Corporation (Neepco) among others. These PSUs follow the central dearness allowance pattern and are governed by a separate high power pay committee.
“The pay scales of the employees will be revised with effect from January 2006. It will be now up to the board of directors of the respective public sector company to consider the pay revision, keeping in mind the affordability and capacity of the CPSU. They’ll have to submit a proposal to their respective administrative ministry, which will approve the proposal with the concurrence of its financial advisor,” a department of public enterprise official said.
As per the recommendations, there will also be a revision in city compensatory allowance, house rent allowance and dearness allowance (DA).
Already in April this year, the government had increased the DA for PSUs by 6% with effect from January this year.
“This will make a stronger case for the early implementation of the second pay revision committee report for the companies following the industrial dearness allowance pattern. However, not all companies following the CDA pattern will be able to adopt the new pay revisions as some of them are sick or loss-making units,” the official said.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
20 Oct, 2008, 0123 hrs IST,Dheeraj Tiwari, ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: The government has finally decided to revise the pay scales of employees working in 69 public sector undertakings (PSUs) on the lines of the Sixth Pay Commission offered to central government staff.
The benefit of pay revision will be allowed only to employees of those CPSUs that are not making losses and are in a position to absorb the additional expenditure from their own resources without any budgetary support.
The PSUs include Mahanagar Telecom Nigam (MTNL), Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), NHPC and North-Eastern Electric Power Corporation (Neepco) among others. These PSUs follow the central dearness allowance pattern and are governed by a separate high power pay committee.
“The pay scales of the employees will be revised with effect from January 2006. It will be now up to the board of directors of the respective public sector company to consider the pay revision, keeping in mind the affordability and capacity of the CPSU. They’ll have to submit a proposal to their respective administrative ministry, which will approve the proposal with the concurrence of its financial advisor,” a department of public enterprise official said.
As per the recommendations, there will also be a revision in city compensatory allowance, house rent allowance and dearness allowance (DA).
Already in April this year, the government had increased the DA for PSUs by 6% with effect from January this year.
“This will make a stronger case for the early implementation of the second pay revision committee report for the companies following the industrial dearness allowance pattern. However, not all companies following the CDA pattern will be able to adopt the new pay revisions as some of them are sick or loss-making units,” the official said.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
Sixth Pay Commission: Paramilitary forces unhappy with pay panel
Sixth Pay Commission: Paramilitary forces unhappy with pay panel
Sudhi Ranjan Sen
Saturday, October 18, 2008, (New Delhi)
For the UPA government, the Sixth Pay Commission has created more problems than it has solved. The paramilitary -- the third largest force in the world -- too is unhappy over the recommendations and feels cheated.
Mohinder Lal was a star of the Border Security Force. But despite his 35 years in the force and medals for shooting competitions, he couldn't go beyond Deputy Inspector General.
Most cadre officers of the paramilitary face hit a promotion and pay barrier unlike their counterparts in the military. And this is taking a toll on recruitments.
Individual officers have written to the Home Minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi saying that pay panel recommendations are unacceptable.
A delegation has also met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukerjee who heads the committee reviewing the pay and perks of the armed forces.
The paramilitary are demanding more senior level post for cadre officers instead of IPS officers and parity with military specially in the cutting edge level of lieutenant Colonels.
Most of the BSF spends 90 per cent of their career guarding the borders or fighting insurgencies.
"People will join the paramilitary but good people will not come anymore," said Mohinder Lal, Deputy Inspector General, BSF.
Like the military, the points raised by paramilitary is valid and has serious implications. But what is surprising and baffling is the inability of bureaucracy to deal with them satisfactorily.
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/
Sudhi Ranjan Sen
Saturday, October 18, 2008, (New Delhi)
For the UPA government, the Sixth Pay Commission has created more problems than it has solved. The paramilitary -- the third largest force in the world -- too is unhappy over the recommendations and feels cheated.
Mohinder Lal was a star of the Border Security Force. But despite his 35 years in the force and medals for shooting competitions, he couldn't go beyond Deputy Inspector General.
Most cadre officers of the paramilitary face hit a promotion and pay barrier unlike their counterparts in the military. And this is taking a toll on recruitments.
Individual officers have written to the Home Minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi saying that pay panel recommendations are unacceptable.
A delegation has also met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukerjee who heads the committee reviewing the pay and perks of the armed forces.
The paramilitary are demanding more senior level post for cadre officers instead of IPS officers and parity with military specially in the cutting edge level of lieutenant Colonels.
Most of the BSF spends 90 per cent of their career guarding the borders or fighting insurgencies.
"People will join the paramilitary but good people will not come anymore," said Mohinder Lal, Deputy Inspector General, BSF.
Like the military, the points raised by paramilitary is valid and has serious implications. But what is surprising and baffling is the inability of bureaucracy to deal with them satisfactorily.
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Sixth Pay Commission: Bonus hiked
Sixth Pay Commission: Bonus hiked
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 17
After the declaration of implementing the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, there is more good news awaiting Government
servants ahead of Diwali as the Centre has decided to hike the bonus by Rs 1,000.
According to information available, the Centre has increased the bonus from existing Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500.
Moreover, the increase will be effective from last year (2006-07) which means the employees would get Rs 1,000 in form of
arrears.
“We normally follow guidelines of the Centre on bonus and since it has been increased we were bound to do so”, sources told
Herald when asked whether Government would implement the same to its employees.
“We have issued circulars to all departments and employees will get the bonus ahead of Diwali”, sources claimed.
In addition to the Rs 300 crore expenditure after the Sixth Pay Commission implementation, the financial liability for the
increased bonus would be approximately Rs 6 crore.
Source: http://oheraldo.in/
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 17
After the declaration of implementing the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, there is more good news awaiting Government
servants ahead of Diwali as the Centre has decided to hike the bonus by Rs 1,000.
According to information available, the Centre has increased the bonus from existing Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500.
Moreover, the increase will be effective from last year (2006-07) which means the employees would get Rs 1,000 in form of
arrears.
“We normally follow guidelines of the Centre on bonus and since it has been increased we were bound to do so”, sources told
Herald when asked whether Government would implement the same to its employees.
“We have issued circulars to all departments and employees will get the bonus ahead of Diwali”, sources claimed.
In addition to the Rs 300 crore expenditure after the Sixth Pay Commission implementation, the financial liability for the
increased bonus would be approximately Rs 6 crore.
Source: http://oheraldo.in/
Sixth Pay Commission: CM demands larger share in Central taxes
Sixth Pay Commission: CM demands larger share in Central taxes
Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Oct. 17: "The share of the states in the total Central taxes should be enhanced to 50 per cent," said chief
minister Mr Naveen Patnaik here today.
While inaugurating the workshop on ‘State’s Memorandum to the Thirteenth Finance Commission’ Mr Patnaik also pointed out that
the states also have rights on various surcharges and cess collected by the Union government.
Mr Patnaik said that the 13th Finance Commission would take the Union government’s budget assistance for various central and
state projects, and also its liability for oil, food and fertiliser supply into consideration. "This will affect the state's
righteous share on central resources," he noted.
"While figuring out the state's share, special attention must be paid to states like Orissa in terms of her poverty, SC/ST
population," he suggested.
Acting on the recommendations of the 12th Finance Commission, many states have started cutting their expenditure, but that
ultimately affects crucial sectors like health, education and infrastructure. “Hence, the Union government should ensure
eradication of financial disparity of various states by sanctioning adequate grants to the weaker states,” Mr. Patnaik
exhorted.
"Steps should also be taken to help the states as they are burdened with the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission," he
said. The royalty on coal and other mineral resources should be calculated on the ‘ad valorem’ method, the chief minister
demanded.
The chief minister informed the meeting that the empowered committee of States’ Finance Ministers has formulated a National
Goods and Services Tax, which will be in force from April 2010. Disapproving attempts to curtail the states’ powers to
collect taxes, the chief minister expressed concern that that would affect the states’ financial freedom.
"There is an urgent need to simplify the procedure to get aid from the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF)," he
observed. Against the backdrop of empowerment of panchayati raj institutes, the Finance Commission should recommend for
strengthening of the bodies’ capacity and resources.
Talking about the financial state of affairs of Orissa, he said that the state has become a surplus state and started many
development programmes like Biju KBK yojana from own resources.
Speaking on the occasion, state finance minister Mr Prafulla Chandra Ghadei said: "The state should demand for more grants in
public enterprises and power reform sectors."
Source: http://www.thestatesman.net/
Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Oct. 17: "The share of the states in the total Central taxes should be enhanced to 50 per cent," said chief
minister Mr Naveen Patnaik here today.
While inaugurating the workshop on ‘State’s Memorandum to the Thirteenth Finance Commission’ Mr Patnaik also pointed out that
the states also have rights on various surcharges and cess collected by the Union government.
Mr Patnaik said that the 13th Finance Commission would take the Union government’s budget assistance for various central and
state projects, and also its liability for oil, food and fertiliser supply into consideration. "This will affect the state's
righteous share on central resources," he noted.
"While figuring out the state's share, special attention must be paid to states like Orissa in terms of her poverty, SC/ST
population," he suggested.
Acting on the recommendations of the 12th Finance Commission, many states have started cutting their expenditure, but that
ultimately affects crucial sectors like health, education and infrastructure. “Hence, the Union government should ensure
eradication of financial disparity of various states by sanctioning adequate grants to the weaker states,” Mr. Patnaik
exhorted.
"Steps should also be taken to help the states as they are burdened with the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission," he
said. The royalty on coal and other mineral resources should be calculated on the ‘ad valorem’ method, the chief minister
demanded.
The chief minister informed the meeting that the empowered committee of States’ Finance Ministers has formulated a National
Goods and Services Tax, which will be in force from April 2010. Disapproving attempts to curtail the states’ powers to
collect taxes, the chief minister expressed concern that that would affect the states’ financial freedom.
"There is an urgent need to simplify the procedure to get aid from the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF)," he
observed. Against the backdrop of empowerment of panchayati raj institutes, the Finance Commission should recommend for
strengthening of the bodies’ capacity and resources.
Talking about the financial state of affairs of Orissa, he said that the state has become a surplus state and started many
development programmes like Biju KBK yojana from own resources.
Speaking on the occasion, state finance minister Mr Prafulla Chandra Ghadei said: "The state should demand for more grants in
public enterprises and power reform sectors."
Source: http://www.thestatesman.net/
Friday, October 17, 2008
Sixth Pay Commission: Pay panel: Central police forces against raising Lt Col rank above commandant
Sixth Pay Commission: Pay panel: Central police forces against raising Lt Col rank above commandant
New Delhi, October 16 : Continuing their tug-of-war on recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission report, central police
organisations (CPOs) have strongly opposed some of the demands being made by the Armed Forces, including a proposal to
elevate the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel above that of a commandant in central paramilitary forces (CPMFs).
In a memorandum submitted to Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, who heads the committee to look into the
grievances of the Armed Forces on the pay commission recommendations, the CPOs have argued that the demand of the Armed
Forces was entirely unjustified and would result in operational difficulties if acceded to.
A delegation comprising officials from BSF, CRPF, ITBP and CISF met Mukherjee on Wednesday and explained why they were
opposed to certain proposals, sources said. The delegation told the minister that the Armed Forces were using pressure
tactics to get their demands met.
The Armed Forces have openly expressed their dissatisfaction with the pay commission recommendations and one of their demands
has been to elevate the rank of a Lt Colonel above that of a commandant in a central police force. Both Lt Colonel and a
commandant are placed as the commanding officer of a battalion but during times of joint operations, the Armed Forces
commander takes precedence. The Armed Forces have used this to argue that a Lt Colonel should be treated as a higher rank.
However, the CPOs have pointed out a number of discrepancies in this argument. Sources said the delegation brought to the
notice of the minister that while there were usually more than one Lt Colonel in a battalion — with the senior most being the
commanding officer — only one commandant was present in a CPMF battalion.
The delegation argued that the work profile of a commandant was completely different and his promotion was based on his
performance unlike that of a Lt Colonel who gets time-bound promotions. Sources said it was only after considering these that
the Sixth Pay Panel had recommended a higher rank for the commandant but the Armed Forces want it reversed.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/
New Delhi, October 16 : Continuing their tug-of-war on recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission report, central police
organisations (CPOs) have strongly opposed some of the demands being made by the Armed Forces, including a proposal to
elevate the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel above that of a commandant in central paramilitary forces (CPMFs).
In a memorandum submitted to Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, who heads the committee to look into the
grievances of the Armed Forces on the pay commission recommendations, the CPOs have argued that the demand of the Armed
Forces was entirely unjustified and would result in operational difficulties if acceded to.
A delegation comprising officials from BSF, CRPF, ITBP and CISF met Mukherjee on Wednesday and explained why they were
opposed to certain proposals, sources said. The delegation told the minister that the Armed Forces were using pressure
tactics to get their demands met.
The Armed Forces have openly expressed their dissatisfaction with the pay commission recommendations and one of their demands
has been to elevate the rank of a Lt Colonel above that of a commandant in a central police force. Both Lt Colonel and a
commandant are placed as the commanding officer of a battalion but during times of joint operations, the Armed Forces
commander takes precedence. The Armed Forces have used this to argue that a Lt Colonel should be treated as a higher rank.
However, the CPOs have pointed out a number of discrepancies in this argument. Sources said the delegation brought to the
notice of the minister that while there were usually more than one Lt Colonel in a battalion — with the senior most being the
commanding officer — only one commandant was present in a CPMF battalion.
The delegation argued that the work profile of a commandant was completely different and his promotion was based on his
performance unlike that of a Lt Colonel who gets time-bound promotions. Sources said it was only after considering these that
the Sixth Pay Panel had recommended a higher rank for the commandant but the Armed Forces want it reversed.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Sixth Pay Commission: Gujarat employees to Strike on Nov 5
Sixth Pay Commission: Gujarat employees to Strike on Nov 5
There seems to be a wide-spread anger in the government employee committee in Gujarat state regarding the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. The Gujarat government employees are planning mass strike on November 5, 2008 or better to say take a Mass Casual leave. This strike is against the delay by the government in implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.
It is expected that around 8 lakh employees will be taking part in the mass strike across entire Gujarat. The protest is because the salary hike of Sixth Pay Commission recommendation is not yet implemented. The employee organization, called Gujarat Rajya Karmachari Mahamandal convened by Girish Raval has also threatened that if the implementation is not made till Diwali, the protest will be intensified.
As per the news, a 5-member Cabinet sub-committee, set up to study the implications of the Commission’s recommendations, had on Monday last, submitted its report to the government, suggesting that it could be implemented in the state.
Despite the "positive" report submitted by a sub-committee headed by Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, the Modi government was dilly-dallying in announcing the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations, he said.
The Mahamandal leader said that apart from the Central government, six other state governments had announced that they will implement the recommendations in toto. But, the Gujarat government continues to keep its employees on tenterhooks, he said.
What is the stand of the Gujarat Government in implementing the Sixth Pay Commission Recommendations?
The state Finance Department official are putting the blame on the additional burden of about Rs 3,000 crore in the first year when it decides to implement the Commission’s recommendations for its employees with retrospective effect from January 2006.
Later, the government would have to shoulder an additional burden of Rs 1,000 crore annually if the recommendations hiking the employees’ salaries were implemented in toto, at par with the Central government employees.
There are over eight lakh government employees, including those serving in the state-owned Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Gujarat. Besides, there are over two lakh pensioners in the state, who will also benefit from the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations.
Source: http://www.khabrein.info/
There seems to be a wide-spread anger in the government employee committee in Gujarat state regarding the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. The Gujarat government employees are planning mass strike on November 5, 2008 or better to say take a Mass Casual leave. This strike is against the delay by the government in implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.
It is expected that around 8 lakh employees will be taking part in the mass strike across entire Gujarat. The protest is because the salary hike of Sixth Pay Commission recommendation is not yet implemented. The employee organization, called Gujarat Rajya Karmachari Mahamandal convened by Girish Raval has also threatened that if the implementation is not made till Diwali, the protest will be intensified.
As per the news, a 5-member Cabinet sub-committee, set up to study the implications of the Commission’s recommendations, had on Monday last, submitted its report to the government, suggesting that it could be implemented in the state.
Despite the "positive" report submitted by a sub-committee headed by Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, the Modi government was dilly-dallying in announcing the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations, he said.
The Mahamandal leader said that apart from the Central government, six other state governments had announced that they will implement the recommendations in toto. But, the Gujarat government continues to keep its employees on tenterhooks, he said.
What is the stand of the Gujarat Government in implementing the Sixth Pay Commission Recommendations?
The state Finance Department official are putting the blame on the additional burden of about Rs 3,000 crore in the first year when it decides to implement the Commission’s recommendations for its employees with retrospective effect from January 2006.
Later, the government would have to shoulder an additional burden of Rs 1,000 crore annually if the recommendations hiking the employees’ salaries were implemented in toto, at par with the Central government employees.
There are over eight lakh government employees, including those serving in the state-owned Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Gujarat. Besides, there are over two lakh pensioners in the state, who will also benefit from the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations.
Source: http://www.khabrein.info/
Sixth Pay Commission: Realty cools but home retail still hot
Sixth Pay Commission: Realty cools but home retail still hot
Tanvi Shukla
Thursday, October 16, 2008 03:46 IST
Despite tight purse strings, furniture and home accessories are flying off the shelves
MUMBAI: The real estate market is facing tough times, home loans have become expensive and consumers have tightened their purse strings. But there is one related sector that is still growing at 35% —home retail.
Simply put, buyers are still spending on furniture and home décor accessories at organised retail outlets.
@Home, the Rs 150-crore lifestyle furniture retail venture of Nilkamal Ltd, saw its same store sales grow at 42% in the first half of FY09. Same store sales is a statistic used to compare sales of stores that have been open for a year or more.
Manish Parekh, the director of Nilkamal Ltd, said the @Home venture hasn’t witnessed a slowdown. “The middle and upper-middle class still have access to high disposable incomes with steady increments continuing. Also, the Sixth Pay Commission has brought in a new segment of consumers for us,” he added.
One of the consumers in this new segment is the ‘normally conservative’ Rama Tiwari, a Pune resident and wife of a retired railways officer. Thanks to the Sixth Pay Commission, she can now indulge some of her wants. “I recently bought a couch for Rs 70,000 from one of the big showrooms. Our new house is still under construction, but since we have the money now, we might as well buy what we will need someday,” she said.
The organised home furnishings and décor business has a small base and so, is expected to post healthy growth. The fact that it hasn’t seen a slowdown despite the global economic turmoil is good news for those in the business. Interestingly, though the option of consumer loans exists, less than 5% of sales are through these loans. This means that consumers do have cash in hand.
So what are people buying? “Showpieces, artefacts, paintings, artificial flowers and furniture sell the most,” Parekh said.
Mahesh Shah, the chief executive officer of HomeTown, the home improvement format of retail giant Future Group, added that furniture is still selling ‘like hot cakes’. “Modular kitchens and wardrobes are very popular. We have seen a certain amount of downtrading, but being a value retailer, we will only benefit from such a trend,” Shah said.
Of the Rs 70,000-crore furniture market, just Rs 3,500-4,000 crore comprises organised retail, led by HomeTown, @Home and Lifestyle retail chain.
However, the consumer seems to have shifted from calling a carpenter to make furniture to buying completely designed and matched furniture sets from a showroom. This shift is what is driving the home retail segment.
At HomeTown, same store sales growth stood at 30.3% for the month of September. The group intends to add seven more stores by the end of this year.
But not everyone is witnessing similar growth. The same store sales at Godrej Interio, the furniture division of Godrej Industries, grew at an average of just 15% over the last year. Subodh Mehta, senior general manager, Godrej Interio (home division), said, “We are growing but the fact is that people are not buying houses with the same momentum as they were. That has brought down our same store sales growth from 30% to 15%.”
Godrej Interio might be an exception more than the rule. The industry is betting big on home retail, especially décor and accessories, and its expansion plans are on track.
Though shying away from buying new homes, consumers are going in for interior decoration, opting for expensive tiles, designer drapes and elaborate colour schemes, even if it is for a cramped one-bedroom-hall house.
With dreams of a new house postponed, they’re content to make the most of what they have. The retailers aren’t complaining.
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/
Tanvi Shukla
Thursday, October 16, 2008 03:46 IST
Despite tight purse strings, furniture and home accessories are flying off the shelves
MUMBAI: The real estate market is facing tough times, home loans have become expensive and consumers have tightened their purse strings. But there is one related sector that is still growing at 35% —home retail.
Simply put, buyers are still spending on furniture and home décor accessories at organised retail outlets.
@Home, the Rs 150-crore lifestyle furniture retail venture of Nilkamal Ltd, saw its same store sales grow at 42% in the first half of FY09. Same store sales is a statistic used to compare sales of stores that have been open for a year or more.
Manish Parekh, the director of Nilkamal Ltd, said the @Home venture hasn’t witnessed a slowdown. “The middle and upper-middle class still have access to high disposable incomes with steady increments continuing. Also, the Sixth Pay Commission has brought in a new segment of consumers for us,” he added.
One of the consumers in this new segment is the ‘normally conservative’ Rama Tiwari, a Pune resident and wife of a retired railways officer. Thanks to the Sixth Pay Commission, she can now indulge some of her wants. “I recently bought a couch for Rs 70,000 from one of the big showrooms. Our new house is still under construction, but since we have the money now, we might as well buy what we will need someday,” she said.
The organised home furnishings and décor business has a small base and so, is expected to post healthy growth. The fact that it hasn’t seen a slowdown despite the global economic turmoil is good news for those in the business. Interestingly, though the option of consumer loans exists, less than 5% of sales are through these loans. This means that consumers do have cash in hand.
So what are people buying? “Showpieces, artefacts, paintings, artificial flowers and furniture sell the most,” Parekh said.
Mahesh Shah, the chief executive officer of HomeTown, the home improvement format of retail giant Future Group, added that furniture is still selling ‘like hot cakes’. “Modular kitchens and wardrobes are very popular. We have seen a certain amount of downtrading, but being a value retailer, we will only benefit from such a trend,” Shah said.
Of the Rs 70,000-crore furniture market, just Rs 3,500-4,000 crore comprises organised retail, led by HomeTown, @Home and Lifestyle retail chain.
However, the consumer seems to have shifted from calling a carpenter to make furniture to buying completely designed and matched furniture sets from a showroom. This shift is what is driving the home retail segment.
At HomeTown, same store sales growth stood at 30.3% for the month of September. The group intends to add seven more stores by the end of this year.
But not everyone is witnessing similar growth. The same store sales at Godrej Interio, the furniture division of Godrej Industries, grew at an average of just 15% over the last year. Subodh Mehta, senior general manager, Godrej Interio (home division), said, “We are growing but the fact is that people are not buying houses with the same momentum as they were. That has brought down our same store sales growth from 30% to 15%.”
Godrej Interio might be an exception more than the rule. The industry is betting big on home retail, especially décor and accessories, and its expansion plans are on track.
Though shying away from buying new homes, consumers are going in for interior decoration, opting for expensive tiles, designer drapes and elaborate colour schemes, even if it is for a cramped one-bedroom-hall house.
With dreams of a new house postponed, they’re content to make the most of what they have. The retailers aren’t complaining.
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/
Sixth Pay Commission: Government staff to go on mass leave in protest
Sixth Pay Commission: Government staff to go on mass leave in protest
Ahmedabad, October 15 Anger against delay in implementation of pay panel’s recommendations
Over eight lakh Government employees across Gujarat will go on a day’s mass casual leave on November 5, to protest against the government’s delay in announcing the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations to hike employees’ salaries.
“We have already served an ultimatum to the government that the employees will go on a mass CL on November 5. We have also decided to intensify our agitation if the government fails to make an announcement on the Commission’s recommendations before Diwali,” said Girish Raval, Convenor of the Gujarat Rajya Karmachari Mahamandal.
Raval told Newsline today that a five-member Cabinet sub-committee, set up to study the implications of the Commission’s recommendations, had on Monday last, submitted its report to the government, suggesting that it could be implemented in the state.
Despite the “positive” report submitted by a sub-committee headed by Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, the Modi government was dilly-dallying in announcing the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations, he said.
The Mahamandal leader said that apart from the Central government, six other state governments had announced that they will implement the recommendations in toto. But, the Gujarat government continues to keep its employees on tenterhooks, he said.
The various government employees’ bodies in the state expected that the government would take a decision on this issue at the weekly Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. But, the Cabinet failed to take a decision on this, causing a great deal of disappointment among lakhs of its employees, Raval said.
Meanwhile, a senior official in the state Finance Department said the government would have to entail an additional burden of about Rs 3,000 crore in the first year when it decides to implement the Commission’s recommendations for its employees with retrospective effect from January 2006.
Later, the government would have to shoulder an additional burden of Rs 1,000 crore annually if the recommendations hiking the employees’ salaries were implemented in toto, at par with the Central government employees, the official said.
There are over eight lakh government employees, including those serving in the state-owned Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Gujarat. Besides, there are over two lakh pensioners in the state, who will also benefit from the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/
Ahmedabad, October 15 Anger against delay in implementation of pay panel’s recommendations
Over eight lakh Government employees across Gujarat will go on a day’s mass casual leave on November 5, to protest against the government’s delay in announcing the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations to hike employees’ salaries.
“We have already served an ultimatum to the government that the employees will go on a mass CL on November 5. We have also decided to intensify our agitation if the government fails to make an announcement on the Commission’s recommendations before Diwali,” said Girish Raval, Convenor of the Gujarat Rajya Karmachari Mahamandal.
Raval told Newsline today that a five-member Cabinet sub-committee, set up to study the implications of the Commission’s recommendations, had on Monday last, submitted its report to the government, suggesting that it could be implemented in the state.
Despite the “positive” report submitted by a sub-committee headed by Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, the Modi government was dilly-dallying in announcing the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations, he said.
The Mahamandal leader said that apart from the Central government, six other state governments had announced that they will implement the recommendations in toto. But, the Gujarat government continues to keep its employees on tenterhooks, he said.
The various government employees’ bodies in the state expected that the government would take a decision on this issue at the weekly Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. But, the Cabinet failed to take a decision on this, causing a great deal of disappointment among lakhs of its employees, Raval said.
Meanwhile, a senior official in the state Finance Department said the government would have to entail an additional burden of about Rs 3,000 crore in the first year when it decides to implement the Commission’s recommendations for its employees with retrospective effect from January 2006.
Later, the government would have to shoulder an additional burden of Rs 1,000 crore annually if the recommendations hiking the employees’ salaries were implemented in toto, at par with the Central government employees, the official said.
There are over eight lakh government employees, including those serving in the state-owned Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Gujarat. Besides, there are over two lakh pensioners in the state, who will also benefit from the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/
Sixth Pay Commission: Centre to pump in Rs 30,000 crore through supplementary demand
Sixth Pay Commission: Centre to pump in Rs 30,000 crore through supplementary demand
Economy Bureau
Oct 16, 2008
After announcing a slew of measures to address concerns over inadequate liquidity, the government is expected to pump in at least another Rs 30,000 crore of cash when it raises the first and second batch of supplementary demand for grants in Parliament next week.
With its obligations under the Sixth Pay Commission, farm loan waiver and oil and fertiliser bonds, back of the envelope calculations reveal that this year it could rise to as much as Rs 60,000 crore. The government raised a total of Rs 53,703 crore in the first and second supplementary demand for grants in 2007-08.
Of this about Rs 30,000 crore is likely to be raised as cash while the balance would be matched through savings and recoveries by administrative departments and ministries. The money would come in handy at a time when the economy is reeling under a credit crisis.
In fact stressing that the domestic credit situation would improve, finance minister P Chidambaram had said last week, “Ten or 12 days from today, when the supplementary (spending bill) is passed, a substantial amount of liquidity will be infused into the market.”
Getting additional funds through the demand for grants for the fiscal will be a key issue for the UPA government since this is the last full session of the Lok Sabha before general elections are announced. Government functioning and more importantly implementation of key social sector programmes will be affected without the requisite funds.
Although the government is trying to cut down costs, it has to foot a heavy expenditure bill with payouts for the sixth pay commission pay out. As per the pay commission’s recommendations, the salary hikes will cost Rs 22,100 crore this fiscal, while the farm loans to be waived in three installments is estimated at Rs 71,680 crore. The government has also budgeted Rs 7,500 crore for fertiliser bonds. Oil bonds for the fourth quarter of 2007-08 amounting to Rs 14,956 crore and for the first quarter of 2008-09 estimated at Rs 24,408 crore will be issued after parliamentary nod.
Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/
Economy Bureau
Oct 16, 2008
After announcing a slew of measures to address concerns over inadequate liquidity, the government is expected to pump in at least another Rs 30,000 crore of cash when it raises the first and second batch of supplementary demand for grants in Parliament next week.
With its obligations under the Sixth Pay Commission, farm loan waiver and oil and fertiliser bonds, back of the envelope calculations reveal that this year it could rise to as much as Rs 60,000 crore. The government raised a total of Rs 53,703 crore in the first and second supplementary demand for grants in 2007-08.
Of this about Rs 30,000 crore is likely to be raised as cash while the balance would be matched through savings and recoveries by administrative departments and ministries. The money would come in handy at a time when the economy is reeling under a credit crisis.
In fact stressing that the domestic credit situation would improve, finance minister P Chidambaram had said last week, “Ten or 12 days from today, when the supplementary (spending bill) is passed, a substantial amount of liquidity will be infused into the market.”
Getting additional funds through the demand for grants for the fiscal will be a key issue for the UPA government since this is the last full session of the Lok Sabha before general elections are announced. Government functioning and more importantly implementation of key social sector programmes will be affected without the requisite funds.
Although the government is trying to cut down costs, it has to foot a heavy expenditure bill with payouts for the sixth pay commission pay out. As per the pay commission’s recommendations, the salary hikes will cost Rs 22,100 crore this fiscal, while the farm loans to be waived in three installments is estimated at Rs 71,680 crore. The government has also budgeted Rs 7,500 crore for fertiliser bonds. Oil bonds for the fourth quarter of 2007-08 amounting to Rs 14,956 crore and for the first quarter of 2008-09 estimated at Rs 24,408 crore will be issued after parliamentary nod.
Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/
Sixth Pay Commission: Delhi govt's no to fee hike by pvt schools
Sixth Pay Commission: Delhi govt's no to fee hike by pvt schools
15 Oct 2008, 1756 hrs IST,PTI
NEW DELHI: Delhi Government is considering the demand of private schools to hike the fees ostensibly to pay their teachers as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission but will not concede to their proposal for a 50 per cent increase across the board.
The Government will not allow any across the board hike and the schools' demand will be examined on a case-by-case basis, a senior official of the Education Department said.
"We are considering their demand and a decision on this matter will be taken soon," the official said.
He said there was no question of accepting the demand for a 50 per cent hike as some schools have surplus money in their kitty to increase salaries of their teachers as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.
"We will examine the financial health of each and every school before taking a decision on it," he said.
The private schools are demanding a hike of 50 per cent in fees ostensibly to pay salaries to their teachers on the lines of recommendations the Sixth Pay Commission. However, parents are opposing the move.
The BJP has termed the demand as unjustified and said any hike in school fees would be gross injustice with the guardians of the students studying in private schools.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
15 Oct 2008, 1756 hrs IST,PTI
NEW DELHI: Delhi Government is considering the demand of private schools to hike the fees ostensibly to pay their teachers as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission but will not concede to their proposal for a 50 per cent increase across the board.
The Government will not allow any across the board hike and the schools' demand will be examined on a case-by-case basis, a senior official of the Education Department said.
"We are considering their demand and a decision on this matter will be taken soon," the official said.
He said there was no question of accepting the demand for a 50 per cent hike as some schools have surplus money in their kitty to increase salaries of their teachers as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.
"We will examine the financial health of each and every school before taking a decision on it," he said.
The private schools are demanding a hike of 50 per cent in fees ostensibly to pay salaries to their teachers on the lines of recommendations the Sixth Pay Commission. However, parents are opposing the move.
The BJP has termed the demand as unjustified and said any hike in school fees would be gross injustice with the guardians of the students studying in private schools.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Sixth Pay Commission: Any govt decision on pay issue will be good for country: Army
Sixth Pay Commission: Any govt decision on pay issue will be good for country: Army
New Delhi, October 15: As the committee headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is looking into the armed forces’ grievances over their new pay scales, the army on Wednesday said any decision by the government on the issue will be for the good of the country and the Services.
“The pay anomalies issues is currently with the Cabinet and I am sure it will take care of it. Whatever it decides, it will be for the good of the country and the armed forces,” Vice-Chief of the Army, Lieutenant-General M L Naidu, said on the sidelines of an Army Postal Service Awards ceremony ihn New Delhi.
“They (the committee members) are our national leaders and they will keep all issues in mind before taking a decision. It (pay issues) is not a matter of our expectations,” Naidu said, replying to a query on the course of action the armed forces would take if all their expectations are not met by the Mukherjee committee.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had late last month set up the Mukherjee committee with Defence Minister A K Antony and Finance Minister P Chidambaram as members to consider the four “core issues” raised by the armed forces on what they called a “discriminatory” 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) report.
In fact, the issues had snowballed into a controversy over the armed forces’ reluctance to implement the Cabinet decision on the CPC taken last month.
Consequently, the 1.5 million armed forces personnel took home their old pay scales in October, while their 3.5 million civilian counterparts got their revised pay scales under the CPC.
To another query, Naidu said pointing out some discrepancies in the CPC was not “defiance”, but professional duty (of the armed forces).
The armed forces are demanding that the government place Lieutenant-Colonels and their equivalents in Pay Band-4, ensure parity in Grade Pay of officers from Captains to Brigadiers with their civilian counterparts, accord the Higher Administrative Grade Plus status in pay scales to Lieutenant Generals and restore 70 per cent pensionary benefits to jawans.
To another question over the misuse of army’s combat fatigues by paramilitary and police forces, Naidu said the army had already informed the Centre and the state governments about it.
“Now, the state governments have taken very strict action, because they have realized that by not insisting on this, it is causing some confusing. Now they have done it (enforce laws against misuse of army uniforms). And hopefully it will be sorted out,” Naidu said.
Asked about the uniforms and camouflages being freely available in the open market, the army vice-chief said as far as clothes, low-quality products are concerned, they were available (but not the Army’s).
“A solution is being worked out and the Home Ministry is doing what is necessary to curb such sales. By law, sale of military uniform in the open market is banned. It should not be available. If it is, there is a separate enforcement agency working on curbing the sale of military uniform. In J&K, they are very actively curbing the sale,” he added.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/
New Delhi, October 15: As the committee headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is looking into the armed forces’ grievances over their new pay scales, the army on Wednesday said any decision by the government on the issue will be for the good of the country and the Services.
“The pay anomalies issues is currently with the Cabinet and I am sure it will take care of it. Whatever it decides, it will be for the good of the country and the armed forces,” Vice-Chief of the Army, Lieutenant-General M L Naidu, said on the sidelines of an Army Postal Service Awards ceremony ihn New Delhi.
“They (the committee members) are our national leaders and they will keep all issues in mind before taking a decision. It (pay issues) is not a matter of our expectations,” Naidu said, replying to a query on the course of action the armed forces would take if all their expectations are not met by the Mukherjee committee.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had late last month set up the Mukherjee committee with Defence Minister A K Antony and Finance Minister P Chidambaram as members to consider the four “core issues” raised by the armed forces on what they called a “discriminatory” 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) report.
In fact, the issues had snowballed into a controversy over the armed forces’ reluctance to implement the Cabinet decision on the CPC taken last month.
Consequently, the 1.5 million armed forces personnel took home their old pay scales in October, while their 3.5 million civilian counterparts got their revised pay scales under the CPC.
To another query, Naidu said pointing out some discrepancies in the CPC was not “defiance”, but professional duty (of the armed forces).
The armed forces are demanding that the government place Lieutenant-Colonels and their equivalents in Pay Band-4, ensure parity in Grade Pay of officers from Captains to Brigadiers with their civilian counterparts, accord the Higher Administrative Grade Plus status in pay scales to Lieutenant Generals and restore 70 per cent pensionary benefits to jawans.
To another question over the misuse of army’s combat fatigues by paramilitary and police forces, Naidu said the army had already informed the Centre and the state governments about it.
“Now, the state governments have taken very strict action, because they have realized that by not insisting on this, it is causing some confusing. Now they have done it (enforce laws against misuse of army uniforms). And hopefully it will be sorted out,” Naidu said.
Asked about the uniforms and camouflages being freely available in the open market, the army vice-chief said as far as clothes, low-quality products are concerned, they were available (but not the Army’s).
“A solution is being worked out and the Home Ministry is doing what is necessary to curb such sales. By law, sale of military uniform in the open market is banned. It should not be available. If it is, there is a separate enforcement agency working on curbing the sale of military uniform. In J&K, they are very actively curbing the sale,” he added.
Source: http://www.expressindia.com/
Sixth Pay Commission: Ministerial committee to resolve pay anomalies of armed forces shortly
Sixth Pay Commission: Ministerial committee to resolve pay anomalies of armed forces shortly
New Delhi, Oct 13(ANI): A ministerial committee led by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, set up to look into the armed forces’ grievance about pay anomalies, is likely to sort out the matter soon.
Mukherjee, who heads the three-member committee, said on Monday that he had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister A K Antony.
“Shortly, I am going to discuss with the Finance Minister P Chidambaram,” he told reporters here when asked about the issue.
Without giving details of his discussions with the Prime Minister, Mukherjee merely said: “I do hope we will be able to sort out the issue shortly.”
The Prime Minister set up the committee, which also includes Antony and Chidambaram, on September 25 in the wake of deep resentment in the armed forces, who complained that there were “anomalies” in the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations and that it had lowered the status of their officers.
After the government notification was issued on August 29, the issues of anomalies in the pay for officers was first raised by Air Chief Fali Homi Major in his letter in his capacity as acting Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC).
Chiefs of Navy and Army too have been voicing their resentment.
Antony has strongly favoured resolution of core issues raised by the three services chiefs in their representation to the government. (ANI)
http://www.newspostonline.com/
New Delhi, Oct 13(ANI): A ministerial committee led by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, set up to look into the armed forces’ grievance about pay anomalies, is likely to sort out the matter soon.
Mukherjee, who heads the three-member committee, said on Monday that he had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister A K Antony.
“Shortly, I am going to discuss with the Finance Minister P Chidambaram,” he told reporters here when asked about the issue.
Without giving details of his discussions with the Prime Minister, Mukherjee merely said: “I do hope we will be able to sort out the issue shortly.”
The Prime Minister set up the committee, which also includes Antony and Chidambaram, on September 25 in the wake of deep resentment in the armed forces, who complained that there were “anomalies” in the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations and that it had lowered the status of their officers.
After the government notification was issued on August 29, the issues of anomalies in the pay for officers was first raised by Air Chief Fali Homi Major in his letter in his capacity as acting Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC).
Chiefs of Navy and Army too have been voicing their resentment.
Antony has strongly favoured resolution of core issues raised by the three services chiefs in their representation to the government. (ANI)
http://www.newspostonline.com/
Sixth Pay Commission: Police, paramilitary raise pitch for better pay scales
Sixth Pay Commission: Police, paramilitary raise pitch for better pay scales
15 Oct 2008, 1046 hrs IST,PTI
NEW DELHI: After the three armed forces, it is now the turn of the central police organisations (CPOs) and paramilitary forces (CPMFs) to raise a pitch for "parity" in pay scales with their military counterparts.
With the government setting up a three-member ministerial committee headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to consider the armed forces' plea, the CPOs too have decided to seek a political intervention to resolve issues concerning their pay scales.
The chiefs of ITBP, BSF, CRPF and SSB will meet Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta to submit a memorandum seeking a political decision on the lines of Mukherjee committee for inclusion of their "second-in-command" rank officers in Pay Band-4, if the tri-services' Lieutenant Colonels and equivalents are included in this pay bracket.
The Pay Band-4 for Lt Cols is among the four "core issues" raised by the Army, Navy and Air Force in the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) and that led to Services refusing to implement the CPC, a decision taken by the Cabinet in August this year.
"The Director Generals (DGs) of all the CPOs and CPMFs will present a memorandum to the Home Secretary this week. We will urge Home Minister Shivraj Patil to request his cabinet colleague, Pranab Mukherjee, to include 'Second-in-Command' ranks also in Pay Band-4," Home Ministry sources said.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
15 Oct 2008, 1046 hrs IST,PTI
NEW DELHI: After the three armed forces, it is now the turn of the central police organisations (CPOs) and paramilitary forces (CPMFs) to raise a pitch for "parity" in pay scales with their military counterparts.
With the government setting up a three-member ministerial committee headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to consider the armed forces' plea, the CPOs too have decided to seek a political intervention to resolve issues concerning their pay scales.
The chiefs of ITBP, BSF, CRPF and SSB will meet Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta to submit a memorandum seeking a political decision on the lines of Mukherjee committee for inclusion of their "second-in-command" rank officers in Pay Band-4, if the tri-services' Lieutenant Colonels and equivalents are included in this pay bracket.
The Pay Band-4 for Lt Cols is among the four "core issues" raised by the Army, Navy and Air Force in the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) and that led to Services refusing to implement the CPC, a decision taken by the Cabinet in August this year.
"The Director Generals (DGs) of all the CPOs and CPMFs will present a memorandum to the Home Secretary this week. We will urge Home Minister Shivraj Patil to request his cabinet colleague, Pranab Mukherjee, to include 'Second-in-Command' ranks also in Pay Band-4," Home Ministry sources said.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Sixth Pay Commission: GM's special offer for govt employees
Sixth Pay Commission: GM's special offer for govt employees
15 Oct 2008, 0210 hrs IST,TNN
NEW DELHI: Aiming to cash in on the salary revision by Sixth Pay Commission recently, carmaker General Motors India has announced a limited-period discount of up to Rs 62000 on various models during the festive season.
Under the scheme government employees would get a discount of Rs 31000 on Chevrolet U-VA and Rs 62000 on Chevrolet Spark, inclusive of all discounts and special offers that already exist.
"Similar special discounts would also be available on Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Optra," the company said.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
15 Oct 2008, 0210 hrs IST,TNN
NEW DELHI: Aiming to cash in on the salary revision by Sixth Pay Commission recently, carmaker General Motors India has announced a limited-period discount of up to Rs 62000 on various models during the festive season.
Under the scheme government employees would get a discount of Rs 31000 on Chevrolet U-VA and Rs 62000 on Chevrolet Spark, inclusive of all discounts and special offers that already exist.
"Similar special discounts would also be available on Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Optra," the company said.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Sixth Pay Commission: Demand for 50 pc fee hike by private schools improper: BJP
Sixth Pay Commission: Demand for 50 pc fee hike by private schools improper: BJP
New Delhi, Oct 13: The Delhi BJP today termed as "improper" the demand for 50 per cent hike in fee by private schools ostensibly to pay their teachers as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.
The demand is unjustified as any hike in school fees will be gross injustice done to guardians of students studying in private schools, Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan said.
The private schools have been constructed on the land provided by Government at concessional rates and therefore the commercialisation of these schools was not justified at all, he said.
The private schools are demanding a hike of 50 percent in fees ostensibly to pay salaries to their teachers on the lines of recommendations the Sixth Pay Commission. However parents are opposing the move.
These schools increase the fees by about 10 percent every year and hence the demand for increasing fees by 50 percent on the pretext of the recommendations of Sixth Pay Commission should not be accepted, Vardhan said.
He said the people are already hit hard by the price rise and an increase in fees would have a severe impact on the citizens.
Noting that education is the fundamental right of the children, he said if the BJP came to power then it will not allow the commercialisation of education.
Bureau Report
Source: http://www.zeenews.com/
New Delhi, Oct 13: The Delhi BJP today termed as "improper" the demand for 50 per cent hike in fee by private schools ostensibly to pay their teachers as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.
The demand is unjustified as any hike in school fees will be gross injustice done to guardians of students studying in private schools, Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan said.
The private schools have been constructed on the land provided by Government at concessional rates and therefore the commercialisation of these schools was not justified at all, he said.
The private schools are demanding a hike of 50 percent in fees ostensibly to pay salaries to their teachers on the lines of recommendations the Sixth Pay Commission. However parents are opposing the move.
These schools increase the fees by about 10 percent every year and hence the demand for increasing fees by 50 percent on the pretext of the recommendations of Sixth Pay Commission should not be accepted, Vardhan said.
He said the people are already hit hard by the price rise and an increase in fees would have a severe impact on the citizens.
Noting that education is the fundamental right of the children, he said if the BJP came to power then it will not allow the commercialisation of education.
Bureau Report
Source: http://www.zeenews.com/
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Sixth Pay Commission: Teachers welcome 70% pay hike by UGC’s Pay Review Committee
Sixth Pay Commission: Teachers welcome 70% pay hike by UGC’s Pay Review Committee
By Khabrein.Info Correspondent,
New Delhi, Oct 5, 2008: Teaching bodies have welcomed the 70% pay hike as suggested by UGC’s Pay Review Committee. The University Grants Commission (UGC) that had formed a committee to look into the university teachers and staff’s pay had submitted its report two days ago recommending across the board pay hike of approximately 75 percent.
Earlier he teachers were up in arms against the Chaddha Committee as the committee is called for the delay in submitting the report. The teachers say that when everyone was getting pay hikes they were left in lurch due to the delay caused by the inability of the committee to submit its report.
But the actual submission of the report has made teachers more than happy. Many said that they had expected the same pay hike as recommended by Sixth Pay Commission.
Sixth Pay Commission had recommended almost 30 percent pay hike for the Central government employees. The almost 70 percent pay hike makes a professor’s salary at par with that of IAS officers.
In the meantime teachers unions have hailed the committee and its recommendations as very welcome.
Ashok Burman, general secretary of the All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation says, “Certain recommendations of the committee are path-breaking like the starting salary of college and university teachers will now be more than those of IAS officers. The Central Government will take full responsibility for the salary of college and university teachers for the first five years”.
The UGC has tried to give new nomenclature to lecturer and readers and that has made a lecturers very happy. Definitely an assistant professor looks better that simply a lecturer.
H.C. Narang a member of the committee says, “Another additional new post is that of professor of eminence. This title may be conferred on not more than 10 per cent of the total strength of professors in a university. This position will be bestowed on someone who has acquired national and international stature. The criteria for choosing them will be tough. In terms of pay package, professors of eminence and Vice-Chancellors will be at par (Rs. 80,000)”.
Profesor Chaddha while talking to reporters on Friday said, “At the college level, the post of Reader will be replaced with associate professor. A new position of senior associate professor has been proposed as a third avenue of promotion for college teachers. We have also asked that posts of professor be sanctioned for direct recruitment in colleges for disciplines that have postgraduate teaching. There should be at least one post of professor in such disciplines”.
Chaddha also said, “Good teachers are must for spread of higher education, which has not reached the population living in remote areas. The tribals, dalits, women are still deprived of it. This situation must be changed if the country has to progress. In 11th five year plan, we have given stress on faculty development,” the Padmashree recipient said. Click here for more
By Khabrein.Info Correspondent,
New Delhi, Oct 5, 2008: Teaching bodies have welcomed the 70% pay hike as suggested by UGC’s Pay Review Committee. The University Grants Commission (UGC) that had formed a committee to look into the university teachers and staff’s pay had submitted its report two days ago recommending across the board pay hike of approximately 75 percent.
Earlier he teachers were up in arms against the Chaddha Committee as the committee is called for the delay in submitting the report. The teachers say that when everyone was getting pay hikes they were left in lurch due to the delay caused by the inability of the committee to submit its report.
But the actual submission of the report has made teachers more than happy. Many said that they had expected the same pay hike as recommended by Sixth Pay Commission.
Sixth Pay Commission had recommended almost 30 percent pay hike for the Central government employees. The almost 70 percent pay hike makes a professor’s salary at par with that of IAS officers.
In the meantime teachers unions have hailed the committee and its recommendations as very welcome.
Ashok Burman, general secretary of the All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation says, “Certain recommendations of the committee are path-breaking like the starting salary of college and university teachers will now be more than those of IAS officers. The Central Government will take full responsibility for the salary of college and university teachers for the first five years”.
The UGC has tried to give new nomenclature to lecturer and readers and that has made a lecturers very happy. Definitely an assistant professor looks better that simply a lecturer.
H.C. Narang a member of the committee says, “Another additional new post is that of professor of eminence. This title may be conferred on not more than 10 per cent of the total strength of professors in a university. This position will be bestowed on someone who has acquired national and international stature. The criteria for choosing them will be tough. In terms of pay package, professors of eminence and Vice-Chancellors will be at par (Rs. 80,000)”.
Profesor Chaddha while talking to reporters on Friday said, “At the college level, the post of Reader will be replaced with associate professor. A new position of senior associate professor has been proposed as a third avenue of promotion for college teachers. We have also asked that posts of professor be sanctioned for direct recruitment in colleges for disciplines that have postgraduate teaching. There should be at least one post of professor in such disciplines”.
Chaddha also said, “Good teachers are must for spread of higher education, which has not reached the population living in remote areas. The tribals, dalits, women are still deprived of it. This situation must be changed if the country has to progress. In 11th five year plan, we have given stress on faculty development,” the Padmashree recipient said. Click here for more
Sixth Central Pay Commission: It’s status, not money: Navy chief
Sixth Central Pay Commission: It’s status, not money: Navy chief
Statesman News Service
NEW DELHI, Oct. 4: A day after the three service chiefs met the external affairs minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, who heads a three-member ministerial committee set up by the Prime Minister to look into the anomalies of the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) report, the Navy chief, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, stoked the controversy by saying it was not money, but an issue of command and control relationship between the armed forces’ officers and their civilian counterparts.
“It is about status and equivalence that existed (before the Pay Commission) and the command and control relationship (between the armed forces officers and their civilian counterparts),” Admiral Mehta, who is the chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, said days after the three service chiefs refused to implement the Pay Commission report unless “anomalies” are rectified.
Ironically only yesterday, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, had sought to play down the issue saying that the air warriors had no complaints as such and that they were awaiting the report of the three-member committee headed by Mr Mukherjee to give its report.
There were also reports that the three service chiefs had been pulled up for their “unprecedented defiance” over the Pay Commission report. “The issue here is not about money. It has been overplayed by the media. It is about status and equivalence...”
Source: http://www.thestatesman.net
Statesman News Service
NEW DELHI, Oct. 4: A day after the three service chiefs met the external affairs minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, who heads a three-member ministerial committee set up by the Prime Minister to look into the anomalies of the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) report, the Navy chief, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, stoked the controversy by saying it was not money, but an issue of command and control relationship between the armed forces’ officers and their civilian counterparts.
“It is about status and equivalence that existed (before the Pay Commission) and the command and control relationship (between the armed forces officers and their civilian counterparts),” Admiral Mehta, who is the chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, said days after the three service chiefs refused to implement the Pay Commission report unless “anomalies” are rectified.
Ironically only yesterday, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, had sought to play down the issue saying that the air warriors had no complaints as such and that they were awaiting the report of the three-member committee headed by Mr Mukherjee to give its report.
There were also reports that the three service chiefs had been pulled up for their “unprecedented defiance” over the Pay Commission report. “The issue here is not about money. It has been overplayed by the media. It is about status and equivalence...”
Source: http://www.thestatesman.net
Sixth Central Pay Commission: Maruti's Wheels of India Initiative to woo 6th pay commission recipients
Sixth Central Pay Commission: Maruti's Wheels of India Initiative to woo 6th pay commission recipients
Editorial Desk
10/3/2008
Finally the announcement that over 50 lakh government employees would be receiving 40 per cent of their arrears amounting to Rs 11,600 crore on account of the Sixth Central Pay Commission recommendations has sent cheer amongst the automobile industry. It has been learnt that enquiries from government officials have already started pouring in at the dealer's end. It is widely expected that a number of leading companies like Hyundai, General Motors, Maruti Suzuki, etc will be chalking out customised strategies to entice the aforesaid segment for buying their models. Research has clearly indicated that most of the government employees' families have never deemed it necessary to buy a car, but an aggressive marketing as well as a personal touch base by auto companies base may tilt the market dynamics in their favour.
Media reports indicate that Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) has already implemented a scheme christened 'Wheels of India', where the country's largest passenger carmaker doles out additional discounts and charges a modicum rate of interest. According to a senior representative of MSIL, the company has already earmarked a 4-member team to begin its campaign to woo government employees. He added that with huge sums of money in the pockets of government employees, some of them would definitely buy cars. He also stated that MSIL's institutional sales officers will work with dealers in state capitals to reach the government employees.
Source: http://www.wheelsunplugged.com/
Editorial Desk
10/3/2008
Finally the announcement that over 50 lakh government employees would be receiving 40 per cent of their arrears amounting to Rs 11,600 crore on account of the Sixth Central Pay Commission recommendations has sent cheer amongst the automobile industry. It has been learnt that enquiries from government officials have already started pouring in at the dealer's end. It is widely expected that a number of leading companies like Hyundai, General Motors, Maruti Suzuki, etc will be chalking out customised strategies to entice the aforesaid segment for buying their models. Research has clearly indicated that most of the government employees' families have never deemed it necessary to buy a car, but an aggressive marketing as well as a personal touch base by auto companies base may tilt the market dynamics in their favour.
Media reports indicate that Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) has already implemented a scheme christened 'Wheels of India', where the country's largest passenger carmaker doles out additional discounts and charges a modicum rate of interest. According to a senior representative of MSIL, the company has already earmarked a 4-member team to begin its campaign to woo government employees. He added that with huge sums of money in the pockets of government employees, some of them would definitely buy cars. He also stated that MSIL's institutional sales officers will work with dealers in state capitals to reach the government employees.
Source: http://www.wheelsunplugged.com/
6th Central Pay Commission: No defiance of govt. over pay issues: IAF chief
6th Central Pay Commission: No defiance of govt. over pay issues: IAF chief
October 3, 2008
New Delhi (PTI): IAF chief Fali Homi Major on Friday vehemently denied reports of armed forces defying government over pay commission issues, even as he termed the Cabinet's approval for creation of 1,896 new posts as a "motivator" for all in the services.
"Not one of my air warriors have breached discipline. Not at all. In fact, my men are extremely happy with what we are getting from the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC)," Major told reporters here.
Informing the media about the government's approval for Phase-II of Ajai Vikram Singh Committee (AVSC) report for creation of new posts from Colonels to Lieutenant Generals and their equivalents in the Navy and Air Force, he said, "This will be a great motivator for everybody in the armed forces".
Asked if the AVSC approval was an effort at placating the "angry" armed forces over CPC issues, the IAF chief said, "I do not think it is so. The AVSC went through the government's decision-making process long before the pay commission".
http://www.hindu.com
October 3, 2008
New Delhi (PTI): IAF chief Fali Homi Major on Friday vehemently denied reports of armed forces defying government over pay commission issues, even as he termed the Cabinet's approval for creation of 1,896 new posts as a "motivator" for all in the services.
"Not one of my air warriors have breached discipline. Not at all. In fact, my men are extremely happy with what we are getting from the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC)," Major told reporters here.
Informing the media about the government's approval for Phase-II of Ajai Vikram Singh Committee (AVSC) report for creation of new posts from Colonels to Lieutenant Generals and their equivalents in the Navy and Air Force, he said, "This will be a great motivator for everybody in the armed forces".
Asked if the AVSC approval was an effort at placating the "angry" armed forces over CPC issues, the IAF chief said, "I do not think it is so. The AVSC went through the government's decision-making process long before the pay commission".
http://www.hindu.com
Sixth Pay Commission: Services grievances against pay report no breach of discipline: IAF chief
Sixth Pay Commission: Services grievances against pay report no breach of discipline: IAF chief
October 3rd, 2008 - 5:02 pm ICT by ANI -
By Praful Kumar Singh
New Delhi, Oct 3 (ANI): The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Fali H Major, on Friday said the Armed Forces have not breached any discipline by publicly airing their grievances over the anomalies in the Sixth Pay Commission report.
I as the Air Force Chief and other two chiefs have gone through the sixth Central Pay Commission report and put forward the issues which we wanted the government to redress, Air Chief Marshal Major told reporters ahead of the 76th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the IAF.
He further said that the government has graciously appointed a high level committee to look at the issues and is confident that the committee will sort out the anomalies in the pay commission report.
Air Chief Marshal Major also said that the AV Singh Committee report has been approved by the Cabinet, creating more senior-level posts in the three services to improve promotional avenues and remove stagnation.
The proposals of Phase-II of the AV Singh Committee Report approved today would result in reduction in stagnation. The measures taken will also lead to progressive promotion of junior batches without adversely affecting promotional aspects of senior batches, thereby reducing the age profile of officers in select ranks.
The upgradation will be carried out in the Army over a period of five years, in the Navy over the next 10 years and in the Air Force over a period of five years. The total number of posts to be upgraded will be 1051 in the Army, 342 in the Navy and 503 in the Air Force.
Commenting on measures to counter shortage of officers in the Air Force, the Air Force Chief said that there is a shortage of officers, but the situation is not very alarming and the IAF has started short service commissions for pilots, which have became an instant hit.
He said that he is hopeful that the sixth pay commission will help to attract more new talent to the IAF.
Replying to a question on suicides in the IAF, Air Chief Marshal Major said: A detailed study was carried out with the help of the College of Defence Management and out of the 26 suicides, only one case was stress related and all other cases were related to socio-economic factors.
He added that at present there are 900 counsellors covering 60 IAF stations and pointed that the rate of suicides have come down in comparison to previous years. (ANI)
http://www.thaindian.com/
October 3rd, 2008 - 5:02 pm ICT by ANI -
By Praful Kumar Singh
New Delhi, Oct 3 (ANI): The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Fali H Major, on Friday said the Armed Forces have not breached any discipline by publicly airing their grievances over the anomalies in the Sixth Pay Commission report.
I as the Air Force Chief and other two chiefs have gone through the sixth Central Pay Commission report and put forward the issues which we wanted the government to redress, Air Chief Marshal Major told reporters ahead of the 76th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the IAF.
He further said that the government has graciously appointed a high level committee to look at the issues and is confident that the committee will sort out the anomalies in the pay commission report.
Air Chief Marshal Major also said that the AV Singh Committee report has been approved by the Cabinet, creating more senior-level posts in the three services to improve promotional avenues and remove stagnation.
The proposals of Phase-II of the AV Singh Committee Report approved today would result in reduction in stagnation. The measures taken will also lead to progressive promotion of junior batches without adversely affecting promotional aspects of senior batches, thereby reducing the age profile of officers in select ranks.
The upgradation will be carried out in the Army over a period of five years, in the Navy over the next 10 years and in the Air Force over a period of five years. The total number of posts to be upgraded will be 1051 in the Army, 342 in the Navy and 503 in the Air Force.
Commenting on measures to counter shortage of officers in the Air Force, the Air Force Chief said that there is a shortage of officers, but the situation is not very alarming and the IAF has started short service commissions for pilots, which have became an instant hit.
He said that he is hopeful that the sixth pay commission will help to attract more new talent to the IAF.
Replying to a question on suicides in the IAF, Air Chief Marshal Major said: A detailed study was carried out with the help of the College of Defence Management and out of the 26 suicides, only one case was stress related and all other cases were related to socio-economic factors.
He added that at present there are 900 counsellors covering 60 IAF stations and pointed that the rate of suicides have come down in comparison to previous years. (ANI)
http://www.thaindian.com/
6th Central Pay Commission: No difference between govt and forces: Antony
6th Central Pay Commission: No difference between govt and forces: Antony
Press Trust Of India
New Delhi, October 01, 2008
Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday said there were no differences between the government and the armed forces over the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) report.
His statement comes in the wake of the defence forces' signal to its 1.5 million personnel on the "anomalies" in the CPC, asking them to "be patient in the larger interest of the Services," which was seen as an act of defiance of the Cabinet decision to implement revised pay scales from September 1.
"There is no difference between the government and the Services, because they are also part of the government. Don't read too much (into the forces' signal)," Antony told reporters after the Defence Accounts Day function in New Delhi.
Pointing out that the government had taken a decision in the Cabinet to implement the pay commission report after amendments, Antony said the additional burden on the exchequer due to the changes in the approved CPC is Rs 6,000 crore.
"After the decision of the Cabinet, Services' chiefs noted some of the problems and anomalies, specifically regarding the defence forces, which is but natural. The government is examining it at the appropriate level. Meanwhile, you are reading too much. It is not correct," he said.
Stating that the armed forces had already submitted the details for revised pay scales, the defence minister said the government had issued a notification for paying adhoc arrears to the personnel, due to the delay in calculating their revised pay for October.
"Also, the prime minister has appointed a committee headed by my senior colleague Pranab Mukherjee. So there is no problem. As far as we are concerned, there is no difference," he added.
After the defence forces' decision not to accept the "discriminatory" CPC, the government had acted swiftly with Antony doing some tough talking to the Services' chiefs, asking them to accept the revised pay scales temporarily.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also set up a high-level ministerial committee headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee last Friday to look into the defence personnel grievances over the CPC.
Antony and Finance Minister P Chidrambaram were named as the other two members of the three-member committee.
Moreover, the government ordered release of an interim amount as part payment of the 40 per cent arrears under the CPC to be given to the defence personnel this week to enable them to celebrate Diwali.
The rest of the 40 per cent arrears would be paid to the services in November.
The reason cited for the adhoc arrears was the delay caused due to the late submission of the revised pay vouchers by the armed forces.
Consequently, the 3.5 million civilian government servants would take home their revised pay and the 40 per cent arrears under the CPC, while the defence personnel would have to wait till November for their revised salaries.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/
Press Trust Of India
New Delhi, October 01, 2008
Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday said there were no differences between the government and the armed forces over the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) report.
His statement comes in the wake of the defence forces' signal to its 1.5 million personnel on the "anomalies" in the CPC, asking them to "be patient in the larger interest of the Services," which was seen as an act of defiance of the Cabinet decision to implement revised pay scales from September 1.
"There is no difference between the government and the Services, because they are also part of the government. Don't read too much (into the forces' signal)," Antony told reporters after the Defence Accounts Day function in New Delhi.
Pointing out that the government had taken a decision in the Cabinet to implement the pay commission report after amendments, Antony said the additional burden on the exchequer due to the changes in the approved CPC is Rs 6,000 crore.
"After the decision of the Cabinet, Services' chiefs noted some of the problems and anomalies, specifically regarding the defence forces, which is but natural. The government is examining it at the appropriate level. Meanwhile, you are reading too much. It is not correct," he said.
Stating that the armed forces had already submitted the details for revised pay scales, the defence minister said the government had issued a notification for paying adhoc arrears to the personnel, due to the delay in calculating their revised pay for October.
"Also, the prime minister has appointed a committee headed by my senior colleague Pranab Mukherjee. So there is no problem. As far as we are concerned, there is no difference," he added.
After the defence forces' decision not to accept the "discriminatory" CPC, the government had acted swiftly with Antony doing some tough talking to the Services' chiefs, asking them to accept the revised pay scales temporarily.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also set up a high-level ministerial committee headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee last Friday to look into the defence personnel grievances over the CPC.
Antony and Finance Minister P Chidrambaram were named as the other two members of the three-member committee.
Moreover, the government ordered release of an interim amount as part payment of the 40 per cent arrears under the CPC to be given to the defence personnel this week to enable them to celebrate Diwali.
The rest of the 40 per cent arrears would be paid to the services in November.
The reason cited for the adhoc arrears was the delay caused due to the late submission of the revised pay vouchers by the armed forces.
Consequently, the 3.5 million civilian government servants would take home their revised pay and the 40 per cent arrears under the CPC, while the defence personnel would have to wait till November for their revised salaries.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/
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