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
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