L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Services raise voice against injustice

A section of ex-servicemen has reacted sharply to the “dismal” recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission (SPC) in respect of armed forces. We are not aware of what exactly the Commission has recommended and what precisely are the anomalies. I wish these were released in a tabular form.

The commission has recommended Rs 1,000 as military service pay for PBOR as against Rs 3,000 projected by the Army. It has also not conceded to two additional pay grades for officers up to Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels to Brigadiers. Another issue being glibly resented is dilution in the standing/ status of soldiers.

Gratefully, the media has this time adequately highlighted the cause of the services. The three Service Chiefs have synergised and expressed their concern, directly and collectively, to the Centre in this regard. They continue to raise the issue at appropriate forums.

It is heartening that the Centre has formed a Committee of Secretaries to look into the issue. Non-inclusion of a serving or a retired officer as a member from the defence fraternity is indeed sad. How far will the committee redress the grievances remains to be seen.

Lt-Col BACHITTAR SINGH (retd), Mohali

II

Soldiers are simple souls. They are surprised that Defence Minister A.K. Antony’s assurances came to naught before the all-powerful bureaucrats. They are also perplexed that the Chairman of the Sixth Pay Commission, a former Supreme Court judge, could not see through the game plan of his bureaucrat-members and signed on the dotted lines.

The review committee, again comprising the bureaucrats, may suggest some patchwork here and there that would satisfy none. Nothing short of a separate pay commission for the armed forces will undo the injustice done to the men in uniform.

I suggest that the three Service Chiefs, who have been given a three-fold pay hike, should politely decline to accept the same until they are able to extract some substantial relief for those placed below them. Welfare of men comes first, always and every time. It is heartening to note that the Chiefs have at least taken a stand before the government.

Wg-Cdr C.L. SEHGAL (retd), Jalandhar

III

While recommending the salaries of the armed forces, the Sixth Pay Commission has totally overlooked their hard work under inhospitable conditions and separated from their families.

While our counterparts in the civil services work only for eight hours a day, that too, five days a week, and claim compensation for overtime, no benefits are extended to us. Besides fighting natural calamities, the armed forces also assist the civil authorities during emergencies.

No doubt, the senior commanders make recommendations on fixing salaries of their personnel. However, these have not helped the armed forces personnel in getting a better deal. The Centre should take corrective measures to ensure that the armed forces are given better pay and other benefits.

Lt-Col T.L. DULAL (retd), Sangrur

IV

The backbone of the armed forces — the middle rung — has been given peanuts by the pay commission. A laudable proposal to sanction 50 per cent of last pay drawn as pension irrespective of the years of service was long overdue and is well appreciated.

Though the commission has made no direct or indirect mention, the issue of ‘One rank one pay’ seems to have been buried forever notwithstanding the support of the Supreme Court, former Presidents and Prime Ministers. Babus have won the day. A higher pay packet after 80 years is also a big joke. In Punjab, which is known for its robust health, it is 65 years onwards.

S.P. SINGH, Jalandhar

Bolt from the blue

How could a government committed to the welfare of the people effect such a steep hike of petroleum prices? Even the LPG has not been spared. The burden is too heavy but the “master” who is supposed to be the “common man” in a democracy is left with no option but to willy nilly accept the increase.

May be, the people will keep this steep oil price hike in view while exercising their franchise in the general elections. Didn’t the BJP government lose the Delhi Assembly elections because of the costlier onions?

LILY SHARMA, Kurukshetra