A few days ago, the government’s decision on defence forces had an impact on several army personnel and junior commissioned officers. On December 4, Finance Ministry rejected the long-standing plea of the army demanding an increase in Military Service Pay (MSP). Unhappy with government‘s decision, the army might request for review of the same, military sources told PTI, reported The Indian Express.
MSP was initiated for the services of the military forces considering the range of “hardships and disadvantages” that the army faces, which cannot be evaluated and compared with one another. Currently, there are two categories in the MSP- one for officers and another for Junior personnel and jawans.
No implementation of 7th Pay Commission
According to Hindustan Times, a source said: “The proposal for higher MSP for JCOs and equivalent rank of the Navy and IAF has been rejected by the Finance Ministry.” Moreover, the decision laid by the government impacts 87,646 JCOs and 25,434 personnel from the Navy and the Indian Air Force as well.
Sources said that the demand was to increase the monthly MSP from Rs 5,500 to Rs 10,000. If the government accepted the demands, the total annual financial outgo would have been Rs 610 crore. As per The Indian Express, the 7th pay commission had set on Rs 5,200 for JCO’s and OR’s, while Rs 15,500 for officers from lieutenant to the rank of Brigadier.
Many of the army personnel were dissatisfied with government’s rejection on MSP and told PTI “Since JCOs are Group B gazetted officers also have a considerable length of service, it is incorrect to grant them MSP on par with the jawans. It is very unfair,” said a military officer who wished not to be named.
According to India TV, Congress President Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is more concerned about Ambani’s than Armed forces. Interestingly, the previous year too, Delhi High court did not give any specific ordeal regarding the granting of 7th pay commission to all the ranks in military service.
What is the Pay Commission?
The Central Pay Commission (CPC) is set up by the government. It gives its recommendations regarding changes in the salary structure of its employees. Since India’s Independence, seven pay commissions have been set up on a regular basis to review and make recommendations on the work and pay structure of all civil and military divisions of the government.
Headquartered in Delhi, the Commission is given 18 months from the date of its constitution to make its recommendations. In a resolution dated 28 February 2014, the government appointed the 7th CPC. It comprised of Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur as Chairman, Vivek Rae as full-time Member, Dr Ratin Roy as part-time Member and Meena Agarwal as Secretary.
