SIXTH PAY COMMISSION REPORT FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SIXTH PAY COMMISSION REPORT FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL.
The revised report as recommended by the Anomalies committee and as approved by the Union Cabinet is out.
What it means for the military is this:1. As reported months earlier on this blog, Colonels and Brigadiers are now to be shifted to Pay Band-4. But status wise this does not mean much for the forces since the equivalent (and lower) civil posts have also been shifted to Pay Band-4. To take an example, the post of Superintending Engineer (SE) in the Central Engineering Services, which is equivalent to a Lt Col, has also been granted Pay Band-4 as has been granted to a Full Colonel. Interestingly, the modified report with much fanfare announces that Colonels and Brigs have been shifted to PB-4 of Rs 39200-67000. But if we go on and read the fine print, we find that civilians of equivalent and lower grades have also been placed in the same grade. As described above, an SE of the Central Engineering Services or a Director Govt of India who were in the 5th CPC pay grade of Rs 14,300-18,300 have been put in PB-4 (Rs 39,200-67,000) while a Lt Col who was receiving more pay and was in a higher 5th CPC pay grade of Rs 15,100-18,700 has been placed behind them to languish in PB-3 (Rs 15,600-39,100). Same is the case with Addl Commissioners of Income Tax, Addl Commissioners of Central Excise and Scientists 'E', all of whom were drawing a lesser pay than a Lt Col - and all of whom have now been placed in PB-4 thereby not only bypassing our Lt Colonels in pay but also in status. Hence, service personnel need not be very happy by the illusory upliftment of the grades of Colonels and Brigadiers as far as status is concerned since the same has been applied to civilians too – nothing special has been done for the Army in this case. Of course, monetarily speaking, the figures are not bad since MSP of Rs 6000 and the respective grade pays would be added up into the pay of officers, it is only the status equation which has been disturbed. There are also indications that PB-4 is going to be rehashed and the starting figure (Rs 39,200) may be decreased by about Rs 2000.2. MSP for PBOR doubled to Rs 2000/-.3. Lt Generals overlooked for appointment as Army Commanders (GOsC-in-C) due to lack of residual service would now be granted the Army Commander’s Grade of Rs 80,000/- (fixed) that is also granted to Secretary to Govt of India. MSP of Rs 6000 to be taken into account notionally w.e.f 1-1-2006 while fixing the new pay of Maj Generals and Lt Generals. What is not highlighted is the fact that Directors General of Central Police Organizations who feature on Article 25 of Warrant of Precedence (WoP) have also been granted a scale of Rs 80000 which is more than the one granted to our Lt Generals who feature on Article 24 which is higher than Ds G CPOs. Directors General of State Police and Principal Chief Conservators of Forests also granted a higher scale of Rs 80000. Needless to say, both of these posts, i.e., DGP and PCCF do not feature at all in the WoP.4. Lower limit of Disability Pension raised to Rs 3100. War-Injury pension to be 60% of emoluments.5. SF Allowance for Army/IAF to be equivalent to Marine Commando Allowance of Navy.6. Assured Career Progression Scales in 8, 16 and 24 years for PBOR as opposed to 10,20 and 30 years on the civil side.7. No change in retirement age.
8. Revised scales effective from 1-1-2006 while allowances effective from 1-9-2008.
9. Arrears to be paid in two installments, the first (40% of arrears) this year and the second (60%) in the next financial year.
10. Annual increment to be 3%
11. Increase in Transport Allowance for all.No information is yet available on Grade Pays. Grade Pay recommendations would be very vital since it is now the only determinant of status vis-à-vis civil services.