(a) whether the Government is aware of the anomalies existing in the pay and
pension of various ranks in the army;
(b) if so, the details of such anomalies and action taken by the Government;
(c) the reasons for the abnormal delay in non-finalisation and removal of these
anomalies; and
(d) the time by which these anomalies will be removed?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)
(a) to (d): A statement is attached.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 296 FOR 2.12.2004
The fifth Central Pay Commission (CPC) had made various
recommendations for improving the service conditions, including pay and
allowances of the Armed Forces personnel. A High Level Committee (HLC) with
Defence Secretary as Chairman, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Chief of Air
Staff, Vice Chief of Army Staff and Financial Adviser (Defence Services) as
members was constituted in December, 1997 specifically to consider the
anomalies in the pay and allowances of Armed Forces Personnel, arising out of the
implementation of the V CPC recommendations. The recommendations of this
Committee were, further, examined by a Group of senior officers, headed by
Cabinet Secretary. The Government while approving the recommendations of
Group of Officers had directed that the two issues i.e. pay scales of the Personnel
Below Officers` Rank and Lt. General / equivalent, be considered by the Group of
Ministers already set up to consider matters related to the recommendations of the
fifth CPC. Accordingly, the matter was referred to the Group of Ministers in
December, 1999. Based upon the recommendations of the Group of Ministers, the
Government implemented 14 pay scales on 3rd October, 2000, removing certain
anomalies in the pay scales of Personnel Below Officer Rank of Navy and Air
Force, arising out of trade rationalization in the Army. Similarly, one more pay
scale was implemented on 10th November, 2000 for those Sergeants of `X` Group
of Air Force, who qualify a technical examination at par with diploma in
engineering to be designed and conducted by the Air Headquarters.
2. The issue relating to revision of remaining 19 pay scales of Personnel
Below Officer Rank was considered by the Group of Ministers (GOM). However,
the GOM after detailed deliberations did not agree to the revision of these pay
scales because of the wide impact such revision would have on the pay scales of
Central Para Military Forces and other Civilian Personnel. Similarly, the GOM
had considered the proposal on the revision of pay scales of Lt. General and
equivalent, but did not recommend any change in the existing provisions.
3. In so far as pension is concerned, there is no such anomaly.