A FORGOTTEN PROMISE

After the implementation of VI pay commission, there were many issues raised by the Armed Forces. The following two were very prominent, and in that order.

i) 70% weightage in pensionary benefits.
ii) Placing Lt Cols and equivalants in Pay Band –4 (instead of 3)

Both were accepted as core issues, and the Govt conceded to the demands. Six months down the line, Lt Cols and their counterparts, enjoy the elevated status of Pay Band-4, got their arrears and happily counting their fortune. But no news about the other proposal and subsequent approval. Authorities “haven’t received any correspondence about 70%’ , pension Office “did not get any any specific orders”, and JCDA “do not have anything in black and white”. On the whole, whole thing is safely forgotten.

But who is really bothered?
The other central Govt staff, not going to be benefited, they need not be bothered.

Govt has to cough up extra dough, so……, a majority Govt need not honour the promise made by a desperate minority Govt before elections, that too when no state elections are looming large over the horizon.

The Armed Forces top brass may have got a “fair deal”- to sweep the 70% appeal under the carpet, as soon as PB-4 is sanctioned for Lt Cols, and they are not bothered.

Defense Officers, irrespective of their capabilities, end up in PB-4, in just 13 years, and they don’t have enough place to store their "hard earned" money- and they aren’t bothered.

The real Mr Bechara is the PBOR, (Personnel Below Officer Rank) who can not actually do anything in this regard, other than venting feelings in a blog.

So, it is very difficult to get the 70% proposal/approval to be implemented. The issue is now ready for a silent burial. I will be more than happy to be proved wrong.