Sunday 18 September 2016

Why Is Military Service Pay Ignored & Other Issues - Updated






Forgetting Military Service Pay In a Predilection for Rank Pay & Other Issues





Mr Parrikar said. “The Service Chiefs know that I am using all the
strength at my command to find a way out. You must understand that I got the gazette notification announcing the 7th Pay Commission amended to make sure the military retains its edge over the Central Armed Police Forces. Such a step has never been taken (to amend a gazette notification),” he pointed out.



He asserted that at least three of the four major anomalies over which the Service HQs are perturbed will be taken care of very soon. They are: 1. The entry level pay suppression in the middle ranks; 2. Non-functional Upgrade (NFU) and 3. Enhancement of Military Service Pay (MSP) for JCOs.



- Courtesy BharatShakti.in



Justice A K Mathur, Chairman of the 7th CPC wrote, “Shri D. K. Rai, a young officer from Accounts and Finance stream who had a deep insight into the financial matters especially, the defence. His knowledge about defence finance has been of great help to this Commission in determining the pay structure for the defence forces. He is a young man and holds a long career before him and his insight into the financial intricacies of the pay structure of the defence service will take him to great height. I wish him great success, a bright future awaits him (emphasis supplied).

- Courtesy Report of the 7th CPC



Background



Like the lyrics of the song from Sound of Music, ‘let’s start at the very beginning, the very best place to start.’ No, not from A, B, C, but from MSP (Military Service Pay). By ignoring it for calculating the Defence Pay Matrix, due to some unexplained reason, its domain knowledge expert & IDAS officer and the 7th CPC have inflicted the gravest injustice on the Armed (Defence) Forces.   



MSP related discrepancies in the Defence Forces Pay Matrix



SAI/SNI/SAFI 1/S/2008, 2/S/2008 and 3/S/2008 issued by MoD, with concurrence of Def (Fin) and MoF (Deptt of Expenditure) has the following definitions: -



3. (g) “Military Service Pay (MSP)” is as defined in the Entry at S No. 2 in Annexure – 2 Part – A of the Government of India Resolution No. 1 (30)/2008/D (Pay/Services) dated 30.08.2008 published in Gazette of India Extraordinary Part I, Section III vide SRO 1 (E) dated 30.08.2008 (hereinafter called Resolution). MSP will be treated as pay for all purposes except for computation of increments and determination of status. The financial benefit of MSP will be admissible from 01.09.2008. It will not count for fixation of pay at the time of promotion except in the case of in the case of promotion from Brigadier to Major General.

    

3. (h) (i) “Revised Pay Structure” in relation to rank/post specified in column of tables at Para 4 (a) below means the Pay Band, Grade Pay and the MSP (if any) specified in columns (5), (6), and (7) of the said tables unless a revised pay band and grade pay of pay scale is notified separately for that post.



 And



3. (j) “Revised emolumentsmeans the pay in the pay band plus the grade pay and MSP of the officer in the revised pay structure and includes the revised Non-Practicing Allowance, if any, admissible to him, in addition.  



          (Underlined by author)



          There are identical definitions for JCOs and ORs in SAI/SNI/SAFI 1/S/2008



Some ill-informed persons have espoused the Artificial Depression of Pay to the extent of Rank Pay (Contempt Petition (C) No. 328 of 2013 dismissed on 18 Aug 2015) without considering a more serious aspect of ignoring the MSP.

 

In other words the Entry Pay for the Defence Pay Matrix of the 7th for all Ranks should, in the words of MoD issued SAI/SNI/SAFI, comprise the Pay in the Pay Band, the Grade Pay, and the MSP. Further, if MSP is given a notional value for fixation of the pay of an Air Vice Mshl (Maj Gen & RAdm) on promotion from Air Cmde (Brig & Cmde), then what is the provision that precluded including MSP for re-fixation in the Defence Pay matrix? 



Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher wrote, “The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments,” and domain knowledge expert has not paid heed to that. Why else would he either unintentionally or otherwise betray that (lack of) expertise by not informing the 7th CPC of this fact from a Def (Fin) and MoF (Deptt of Exp) approved and MoD issued document that governed the Pay and Allowances of the Defence Forces?

     

An abbreviated table of the Entry Pay in the 6th CPC  from SAI 2/S/2008 and 3/S/2008 is placed below for ready reference: - 



Rank (and equivalent)
Pay in the Pay Band
Grade Pay
Military Service Pay
Total
Fg Offr
15600
5400
6000
27000
Flt Lt
18600
6100
6000
30700
Sqn Ldr
23810
6600
6000
36410
Wg Cdr
38530
8000
6000
52530
Gp Capt
40890
8700
6000
55590
Air Cmde
43390
8900
6000
58290
AVM
44700
10000
6000 (notional)
60700



In a classic case of cherry picking, the domain knowledge expert of the IDAS in the 7th CPC, decided to ignore Para 3 (g), (h) and (j) of the SAI/SNI/SAFI and taken only the Pay in the Pay Band and Grade Pay to determine fixation in the Defence Pay matrix as is evident from the extract of the relevant portion of the Report reproduced below: -



“General Approach to the Pay Matrices: Civil and Defence



5.2.3 Pay levels have been set out in a pay matrix, separately for civilian and defence forces personnel. The Commission has evolved a fresh approach by merging the grade pay and pay bands into distinct pay levels. The approach regarding the pay levels and pay matrix has been explained in Chapter 5.1. Some of the major points in the pay matrix which have a common bearing on civilian and defence forces personnel are highlighted below.



5.2.4 Pay Bands and Grade Pay: Pay Bands and Grade Pays have been dispensed with and the new functional levels have been arrived at by merging the Grade Pay in the Pay Band. All the existing levels have been subsumed in the new structure.



5.2.5 Entry Pay: The entry pay for various ranks of defence forces personnel, other than MNS Officers, has been arrived at on the same premise, as has been done in the case of civilian. As an illustration, entry pay for a Captain has been arrived at as follows:



Entry pay in existing pay band + (Residency Period for promotion to Captain from Lieutenant x annual increment) + grade pay of the rank of Captain = 15,600 + (2 x 630) + 6,100 = 22,960.



5.2.6 An exception to this approach has been made in the case of Brigadiers/equivalents where pay for the rank has been arrived at as per the fitment table notified by the Ministry of Defence through its Special Army Instructions of October 2008(emphasis supplied). 



So, the actual figures in the Defence Pay Matrix, if MSP was included, should have been reading something like this: -



JCOs/ORs




From SAI/SNI/SAFI of 2008
7th CPC report
Rank
Pay in the Pay Band
Grade Pay
Military Service Pay
Total
Multiply by RF
Entry Pay
Pay in the Matrix
AC
5200
2000
2000
9200
23600*
8460
21700
Cpl
7650
2400
2000
12050
31000
9910
25500
Sgt
9040
2800
2000
13840
35600
11360
29200
JWO
10520
4200
2000
16720
43000
13500
35400
WO
13320
4600
2000
19920
51200
17140
44900
MWO
14350
4800
2000
21150
54400
18150
47600



(* Close to what is demanded by the Unions and Associations of civilian employees.)



Officers (upto Maj Gen)




From SAI/SNI/SAFI of 2008
7th CPC report
Rank
Pay in the Pay Band
Grade Pay
Military Service Pay
Total
Multiply by RF
Entry Pay
Pay in the Matrix
Fg Offr
15600
5400
6000
27000
72100
21000
56100
Flt Lt
18600
6100
6000
30700
82000
22960
61300
Sqn Ldr
23810
6600
6000
36410
97200
25980
69400
Wg Cdr
38530
8000
6000
52530
135000
45400
116700
Gp Capt
40890
8700
6000
55590
142900
48900
125700
Air Cmde
43390
8900
6000
58290
155600
52290
139600
AVM
44700
10000
6000 (notional)
60700
165100
53000
144200



Higher MSP for JCOs



          With its repeated emphasis on equity and justice (please read these two being emphasised by 7th CPC in Chapter 10.2), it appears that the weakness in the alleged expertise has once again been exposed.



7th CPC states that a common multiplication or rationalisation factor of 2.57 having been used, the MSP of JCOs and ORs has been increased from Rs 2000 pm to Rs 5200 pm. The ‘expert’ perhaps forgot to inform that both JCOs and equivalents are also Group ‘B’ Officers.



If the MNS officers, who are also Gp ‘B,’ are entitled to Rs 10800 as MSP, then the much stated equity and justice demands that the JCOs (who are combatants) should also be paid the same MSP as MNS officers, who are Gp ‘B’ officers.  That would be equity and justice, the reason adduced by 7th CPC elsewhere in its report.     



Why Notional MSP for AVM and above is required



As Georg Hegel, another German philosopher, pointed out, ‘We learn from history that we never learn from history.” The domain knowledge expert in the 7th CPC appears to have ignored that, again.



In the 6th CPC dispensation with fixation tables prepared by O/o CGDA probably and vetted by IDAS officers of the CGDA and Def (Fin) and concurred by Deptt of Exp, MoF, the Pay band for Air Cmde was stipulated as Rs 37400-67000 with Grade Pay Rs 8900 and MSP Rs 6000. So at the top of the pay band (and there are 38 Air Cmde & equivalents today) the Air Cmde (and equivalent) today earns Rs 67000+8900+6000 = Rs 81900. This is higher than what an AVM (Rs 67000), Air Mshl (HAG+, Rs 75500-80000) or AOC-in-C (Apex scale, fixed Rs 80, 000) and their equivalents earn!      



          A cursory look at the Pay in the Pay Matrix for Air Cmde & equivalent reveals that his total remuneration in the 7th CPC regime including MSP of Rs 15, 500 will be Rs 2, 05,000 whereas an AVM & equivalent will be paid Rs 1, 99, 000. Isn’t that turning on its head the principle that a senior officer must not be paid less than his junior? Just look at the table below: -



Rank
Brig/Cmde/
Air Cmde
Brig/Cmde/
Air Cmde
Para 3 of SAI
Brig/Cmde/
Air Cmde with MSP of Rs 15500
Maj Gen/RAdm/AVM
Pay in Pay Band (PB)
43390
43390
43390
53000
Grade Pay (GP)
8900
8900
8900
10000
MSP
-
6000
-
-
Total
52290
6000
52290
63000
Level
13A
58290
13A
14
Increment/yr
3%
3%
3% of PB + GP
3%
Rationalisation
2.67
2.67
2.67
2.72
Index 1
139600
155600
155100
144200
2
143800

159300
148500
3
148100

163600
153000
4
152600

168100
157600
5
157100

172600
162300
6
161900

184600
167200
7
166700

182200
172200
8
171700

187200
177400
9
176900

192400
182700
10
182200

197700
188200
11
187600

203100
193800
12
193300

208800
199600
13
199100

214600
205600
14
205000

220500
211800
15
211200

226700
218200
16
217500

233000
-



Index of Rationalisation



7th CPC Report states at 5.2.9, “As noted in Chapter 5.1, dealing with the Civilian pay matrix, marked increase was accorded to directors in the GP 8700 at the stage of implementation of the VI CPC Report. Accordingly in the matrix the rationalisation index applied at this level has been fixed at 2.57, lower than the index of 2.67 applied to existing PB-3 officers. A similar formulation has necessarily to be applied to the defence pay matrix since the Lieutenant Colonels also received a marked increase in their pay level, post VI CPC recommendations. Since the defence services have an additional level in the existing PB-4 and there is a common pay level for SAG level officers in Defence and Civil, the Commission has applied the rationalisation index of 2.57 also to the officers in the rank of Colonel and Brigadier and their equivalent(emphasis supplied).



The rationalisation factor has been increased from 2.57 to 2.67 for Air Cmdes (Brigs). Therefore, as the Gp Capt (Colonel/Capt IN) and Air Cmde (Brig/Cmde) are clubbed together, equity would be ensured, and justice would deem to have been done, if the rationalisation factor of Gp Capt (Colonel/Capt IN) is also raised to 2.67.



Stagnation of JCOs/ORs



          The 7th CPC has recommended continuation of Minimum Assured Career Progression (MACP) in three stages on completion of 8, 16, and 24 years of service or 8 years in one rank for ORs. This and the 24 indices are supposedly adequate to fend off the looming threat of stagnation. But fixated with lesser indices for Lt Cols, Cols and Brigs, the spotlight has moved away from the stagnation of JCOs and ORs. There are certain trades that are later entrant and start directly from the rank of Sgts (Hav & Petty Officers) and not promoted from Corporal (Cpl) on completion of 13 years of service. They go on to serve up to 57 years of age. For them, the 24 indices (stages) in the Defence Pay Matrix are inadequate, will ensure that they will stagnate in the ranks of JWO/Nb Sub/CPO, WO/Sub/MCPO-II, and MWO/Sub Maj/MCPO-I.    



          So in the deafening clamour for removal of stagnation for Lt Cols, Cols and Brigs (since corrected by addition or 3, 3, and 2 indices (stages), will there be a request to the Govt to increase the indices (stages) to at least 36 indices (stages) for JCOs?



Notional NFU



          Any Govt employee or officer (civilian or Armed Forces) cannot draw pay lower than his junior, right? Not in the 7th CPC’s Pay Matrix for Civilians!



For a living example, with NFU, a Org Gp ‘A’ MES officer who is not a CWE or a CE in Level 13A (Grade Pay Rs 8900) has been granted a Grade Pay of Rs 10, 000 with the result that his emoluments in the Civil Pay matrix of 7th CPC will need to be reckoned in Level 14 i.e equivalent to that of a Joint Secretary/AVM.



          Therefore, again in the interest of equity and justice, there is an imperative for a notional, if not actual, NFU for a correct transition from the 6th CPC pay band and Grade pay for Wg Cdr/Lt Col/Cdr from the 20 years of service and above, if his course-mates have been considered and promoted to Gp Capt/Col/Capt IN in the 16th year and he has exhausted his three chances. In the present form, of not granting even a notional NFU, a passed over Wg Cdr/Lt Col/Cdr is poorer by about Rs 5500 p.m in comparison with a Gp A civilian officer with similar number of years of service.



In Conclusion



Perhaps that immense faith in the domain knowledge expertise of the IDAS officer appears to have clouded the eagle eyes of the Chairman, and Shri Vivek Rae, Member 7th CPC when it came to reading the above quoted SAI/SNI/SAFI. If Shri Rae could quote chapter and verse and an Honourable Supreme Court ruling in support of his parent service, the IAS, how did he miss reading the SAIs/SNIs/SAFIs? Does that now bring attention to the fact that Armed Forces need to be represented not only in the CPC but also in the Anomalies Committees as MoD’s officers have proved their lack of true domain knowledge!



P.S:  As IDAS has been trying to get rid of the Accounts Branch of the IAF and Lt Gen Shekatkar Committee, (without an Air Force member?), has asked the IAF/Accounts Branch to justify its existence, one can imagine the fate of the Armed Forces.



Again, for equity, justice and respecting traditions of Service, I hope the Lt Gen will also peruse the entrance educational qualifications. Entry into the IAF’s Accounts branch requires applicant to have B.Com. from a Recognized University with minimum 60% marks (aggregate, all papers put together) or PG Degree (M.Com)/CA/ICWA from a Recognized University with minimum 50% aggregate marks (all papers put together) and whereas for IDAS a graduate degree in any subject will do (emphasis supplied). 



*        *        *        *        *

41 comments:

  1. Sir. Grt analysis. Seems entry pay not calculated correctly even without MSP that is depressed for certain ranks. It shd be calculated taking MSP into account as brought out by you.
    Sir. It is known that group A officers having 8700 grade pay are also getting NFU grade pay of 10000 and getting fixed in level 14 of 10000 grade pay virtually treating themselves equivalent to joint secretary at the time of pay fixation..

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sir. In 7cpc MSP is to be consideredbfor DA and pension only. When it is part of pay, how it is not to be considered for CTG, hra etc when NFU increment and grade pay is being considered for all and sundry benefits including ac taxi, flying in business class, ta/da charges for 10000;grade pay are being availed by 8700 grade pay officers even when being non functional benefits

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sir, it is high time the Indian Army and Indian Navy pushed for specialist services/branches and trades on lines of the Accounts branch and Clerk Accounts trade that the Air Force has.

    The three should take over some of the finance related processes at level of MOD as well.

    Perhaps it is IDAS that would need to "justify its existence".

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jai Hind Sir, Thanks for staying "ON" in the blogspot. Quite a revealing fact regarding complete exclusion of MSP in pay fixation by the so called think-tank IDAS. I wont be surprised if the bureaucrats recommend him for Padma Shri.
    Neverthless, this should reach the right people. To start with Chairman COSC/CAS along with TRIPAS. Kindly do so if you also think that these people are not seized of this important aspect before any corrective action is initiated for rectifying our grievances!
    Once agasin reposing the faith in your belief "Truth Alone Triumps" along with a large number of brothers and sisters in/out of uniform.
    Great going and God bless you with health and long lief to see the isues are brought to their logical conclusions.
    The blood and sweat of the Faujis will not go in vain.Be rest assured in the name of your respective Faith.

    Jai Hind!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This anomaly must be made known to the CoS Anomalies at the earliest for correction. If not this will go to the Courts of law like many others like this in the 6CPC which are still pending in SC/AFT.

    ReplyDelete
  6. There is a possibility of anomalies in the entitlement of MSP for pre 2016 and post 2016 retirees.By applying the multiplication factor of 2.57 to the existing/OROP pension there will be difference in the actual entitlement. For JCOs OR of pre 2016 2000x2.57= 5140 where as post 2016 it will be 5200.In the same way Officers of pre 2016 6000x2.57= 15420 where as post 2016 it will be 15500. Another point deserving merit consideration in the entitlement of X group pay for X group personnel. If I am correct as per recruitment rule,the entry level qualification for Technical X group is plus two with maths,physics and English with 50% aggregate and 50% in English or 3 years diploma.In the case of Y group trades plus two with 50% mark aggregated.When a cililian diploma holder is appointed in the appropriate pay scale based on their Qualification they are not entitled for additional pay for the extra qualification prescribed for the post. Here qualification with Diploma/Graduate are normally enrolled in the higher rank in Army Hav (AEC)in Air Force higher than the entry level rank.If the difference in the grade pay between 4200_2000,2400 and 2800 up to the level of Sergeant/Hav and PO it is reasonable considering their additional qualification. When they get their promotion to Nb Sub/JWO/CPO they are placed in the grade pay group of 4200.Additional X group pay recommended beyond JCOs and equivalent rank appears to be on higer side when comapare with equal appointment in civil side. If diploma is aquired through service institution they remain as student for the entire period of the diploma course and no completion normaly they are placed in the higher grade pay group.Direct entry Hav and equivalent get the benifit of ACP and they retires as the highest rank as admissible to them.Here they avail the benefit of service.The other point needs consideration is One Rank One Pension and not One Rank with different group pension. Rank is more importent than trade in the service.In Army JCOs are found performing the administrative duties rather than trade work.Earlier in Army there were 8 groups,it got reduced to 5 and further 3 and now it only two ie X and Y.A sep retired prior to 1953 belongs to H group is now drawing pension of Y group.Here the qualification and the trade work performed while in service is ignored. A soldier retired from the lowest group without any qualification is availing the benefit of revised pension as applicable to the Y group with the qualification mentoned above.More over there areupgradation and trade level training at each level and they are deprived if the benefit of their trade work.In my opinion these points needs to be studied in length and suitable justified action is required.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear Sir,
    the more I read your posts, the more I admire your incisive mind and the indisputable analysis, put in in such a powerful and convincing language. The pity is the bright young IDAS officer who with his biased knowledge convinces the Pay commission and the Government to play havoc with lakhs of servicemen and veterans gets rewarded in return. Now that the seventh cpc chairman has stated that his recommendations are based on the bright IDAS officer's analysis, can he made accountable for the same?

    ReplyDelete
  8. The bottom line is if they give the rank pay .. then deduct it from DA award.
    If MSP is given, then they will take away something from somewhere else.
    Babus will keep doing jingri-pungri whereby their aim will be not give even one paisa more then what they get.
    They will device some means , a fraud .. again to accelerate moola into their pocket as you inch closer to them.
    Earlier the power is to flow from barrel of the gun, next from pen .. now it is the ballot.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sir,once again you are bang on target.one must applaud you for your incisive analysis based on sifting through reams of data .Hope the moustachioed gens who come on TV news debates are half as prepared as you are

    ReplyDelete
  10. Outstanding analysis.Sharing on Twitter.Thanks Sir.My Twitter handle @nschauhan

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sir,

    As always, an incisive and excellent analysis.

    In a recent TV show on NDTV, the Chairman of the VII PC came across like a person bordering on senility. (He said no parity can be drawn between Civil Services and Defence Services, since their roles are different.) One can't take him seriously just because he is former judge. All these commissions and committees are just post-retirement junkets for keeping them in comfort at the Tax Payers' cost.

    Grade Pay is supposed to denote the pecking order as per VI PC. NFFU was devised to increase the Grade Pay of all Civil Servants, so that they can avail the benefits of higher TA/DA, etc. (For eg:- Grade Pay of Rs.10000/- entitles one to fly by Executive / Business Class. ) The IAS agreed to NFFU for IPS, IFoS and Group A Services, so that their demand to be equated with IAS, could be deferred.

    But the pertinent question right now is - how do we set right this anomaly of the Defence Services being treated as the poor cousins ???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Poor Justice Mathur. He was led by the nose and praised that IDAS guy and now we know the consequences. It was also our fault thinking he, having been in the PB of the AFT would understand the nuances of Services. Good lesson learnt or will we repeat the words of Hegel?


      Final question and the answer is Read the documents and pick up the points.

      Delete
  12. Sir. Notional NFU as on 01 january 2016 should be granted and benefits of NFU in terms of ac taxi, executive class travel etc should also be made applicable. Then only some sort of parity may be there...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A/c taxi and executive class travel in not part of NFU

      Delete
    2. Dear MS,
      There is a clarification issued by DOPT and Railway Board stating that people drawing Grade Pay of Rs.10,000 by NFU are not eligible to draw TA of Rs.7000 which is optional for JS and equi.That means you continue to be a notional guy and not actual, really.Similar to that Col (TS) and equi in three Services are not posted to vacancies tenable by a Col.No point in building up hopes and in turn others' also.
      This apart we must also fight for incl of MSP in CTG.
      Regards and bye for now.

      Delete
    3. Sirs @ Dinesh & young 50. Directors in mes and BRO Dgqa etc having grade pay of 8700 get NFU grade pay of joint secretary that is 10000/- the only benefit they do not get is 7000/- transport allowance. Rest they get all facilities as applicable to a joint secretary including AC taxis on TD and travel by executive class in air and hotel stay and food charges. Hope it clarifies..

      Delete
    4. Clarity is required through whatever is being finally decided by the Govt as part of those five anamolies promised by the RM.I really cant believe reg other perks especially executive class by air purely due to sheer strength of Offrs who are going to be benefited consequence to acceptance (?) of NFU over dead body of some bureaucrats !Anyway let us all hope for the best.Thanks for your prompt and apt response.Regards.

      Delete
    5. @Young50 : "...you continue to be a notional guy and not actual, really.Similar to that Col (TS) and equi in three Services are not posted to vacancies tenable by a Col.No point in building up hopes and in turn others' also."

      Where is the need for a Col(TS) to be posted against a Col (Select) vacancy? He can officiate at times if required, of course. What is the issue, really? "Notional" is the whole point of NFU. That is what the "N" stands for.

      The appraisal and promotion system never had claims to absolute perfection. If in the system's judgement, flawed or imperfect though it is at times, an officer is less fit than another for elevation to the next rank by selection, at least the superseded officer gets the same grade pay as a Col (Select) after putting in 26 years of service. It is the service of 26 years that needs to be thought about. It should be brought down to the service of an officer for whom all three promotion boards affecting him are over and done with.

      Under NFU, all ranks in a specific stream/arm/branch should get the grade pay and basic of a peer promoted 2 years previously. That is what happens for AIS Gp A. Two years of being left behind is adequate punishment for being lower on the scale of what the system, esp its designers and 'operators", choose to call "merit".

      It is the parity of pensions of older retirees who had fallen afoul of the promotion/appraisal system that requires closer attention.

      Delete
    6. I humbly submit the following points for everyone in this Blog:-
      (a) NFFU means Non-Functional Financial Upgradation as it was proposed and acepted in 6 CPC for all Gp A Organised Services. NFU has been loosly or colloquially used by the Faujis. NFFU is also covered in Wikipedia. It is not Notional. For the sake of parity with Civil Services and other Joint Org like MES and BRO and to eliminate disparities in retiring Brigs getting more pension than retd Maj Gen, a notional NFFU was to be subsumed in the Pay Matrix.
      (b) I am really not aware of as to whether any road map is submitted by the Services HQ to the Govt for clear and seamless implementation of NFFU for the Defence Officers. How many of us cared to read the recommendations of Justice AK Mathur for implementation of NFFU for Armed Forces Officers, and give an analytical comment on the issue. It may not be out of place or cynical to say that one Maj Dhanapalan only had time and inclination to read the 4 CPC report and probably some grey cells in his head to read between the lines of schemey Babus" mischeif played on all of us (with thousands of us just going or aligning with the wind like wind sock).It was like a six in the last ball of World Cup when the asking was only a boundary. We have been brought up like this in uniform and we as a clan have failed intellectually.Sorry for saying this but that includes me and the worthy Cdrs we had over the decades. (Aerial View may not take it as a personal attack,please)
      (c) I do not how many of us know that every IAS and their ilk retire with assured pension of an Addl Secy. Our Promotion Boards or their "Empanellment" cannot be compared for a variety of reasons.
      (d) We need to sort out the issue of protocol/seniority between Col (Sel) and Col (TS). Someone who has become Sel Col atleast five years after one became TS is senior to him. The issue is serious probably in Army due to sheer size and Promotion Policies being tampered with the Chief at the helm of affair. The situation is different in every Promotion Board in terms of no of vacancies, size of consideration zone, resultant ratios apart from sudden bonanza of AVSC Phase II for about five years and the list is long.Under these circumstances deciding on seniority whether Sel or Col has faultlines which need to be addressed urgently. As opined buy you, the qualifying service for TS rank should be brought down to 21. I believe it was not implemented that time because of reservations expressed by AF and Navy.
      I wish this healthy discussion continue so that everyone's thought process is triggered. Pl do not take it personal and if the Blog owner feels anything unpalatable or untenable he has the previlege of moderating my comments.
      We all must thank the advancement in technology and electronic gadgets which have made all of us more aware of the environment we are serving or living.
      Jai Hind! With warmest regards, as always.
      Young 50.

      Delete
    7. I think it is correct to say NFU is, strictly speaking, not "notional" and the N actually stands for "Non". I think that to assume it stands for "Notional", as stated by the commentator in an earlier comment, is perhaps to suggest that the elevation in status NFU offers is not "real" in terms of post or seniority but "notional" in a way as it merely puts a superseded officer in a higher financial grade after a time lag.

      As to how services HQs propose to implement NFU, if ever granted, is another matter. But the point about Col(TS) rank being given after the third board is completed seems sensible. Col(TS) are borne on a separate roster and their seniority over select Cols is never an issue.

      Delete
  13. http://wap.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/military-men-will-have-their-say-on-7th-pay-commission-116092101060_1.html

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  14. Sir, may I request a clarification?

    After 1.1.2006 the retiree is entitled to full pension i.e 50% of last pay drawn + GP + MSP after rendering 20 years of service.

    Now under OROP scheme all past pensioners are granted the same pension as a retiree in calendar year 2013, which means there is no embargo of the 33 year clause on those retirees i.e they get full pension for the number of years of service rendered as long as the service is more than 20 years.

    My question, after OROP is there a need for another order removing the 33 year clause?

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    1. Sir, I think removal of the 33 years clause applies to the period between 01 Jan 2006 and 01 July 2014, i.e. before OROP was implemented.

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  15. Sir, but w.e.f pay scales drawn in calendar year 2013 falls between 2006 and 2014, that IS WHY WE ALL GOT 2 instalment of arrears with 2 more due. No, sir your ar not giving me the correct argument.

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    1. We got ".. 2 instalment(s) of arrears with 2 more due .. " because, as most people already know, total arrears from 01 July 2014 on account of OROP were to be paid in four instalments. No "argument" needs to be given to clarify that.

      As OROP is based on average of pensions drawn by personnel retiring in 2013 to whom the 33+ rule did not apply, the 33+ issue relates only to pensions upto 30 Jun 2014 for pre 2006 pensioners.

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    2. Sir, with due respect,

      You may wish to read Para 3 of MoD letter of 07 Nov 15 which reads as follows: "3 (i)To begin with pension of past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of pension of retirees of Calendar year 2013 and benefit will be effective 1.7.2014" and 3 (ii) "Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners on the basis of the average of minimum and maximum pension of personnel retired in 2013 in the same rank and same length of service." There is no mention of pro-rata deduction of pension of those who served less than 33 years because the 33 year rule does not apply to post 2006 retires.

      Since such an OROP type equalisation with 2013 retirees is not there for civilians, it may be more applicable to them.

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    3. Sir, your query was, "..after OROP is there a need for another order removing the 33 year clause?"

      Sir, don't you want pre OROP pensions (1 Jan 2006 to 30 June 2014) of pre 2006 pensioners to be refixed with the 33+ issue sorted out and arrears paid to them?

      Please consider giving them benefit of the doubt if any of them have caused offence at a personal level in some way. As a class, I think, they've done nothing wrong.

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    4. Sir, please refrain from making any personal comments like in your third para. I am no one to give or deny for I am not MoD.

      You may not agree with my request for clarification and you may not wish to give a clarification. Your comment was voluntary and therefore civility is necessary.

      My query rose because as per Cir 500 a Maj, a Lt Col and a Col with 20 years service were grantd pensions of Rs 15447, Rs 21490 and Rs 22742 respectively.

      In Cir 555 they are granted the average of pensions of Rs 21530, Rs 31305 and Rs 32963 respectively.

      If the Cir 500 pension is multiplied by the 33/20 factor, the pension (which is not the average of Cir 555) is Rs 25487, Rs 35458 and Rs 37524 respectively.

      But is this because of the removal of pro-rata deduction but adulterated by the average of pensions?

      Anyway, I request you not to reply and request the Air Mshl to delete this chain of comments.

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    5. @ashwanisarada & taazakhabar,

      Please refrain from bringing in personal tones and comments.

      Please be to the point - either you know the facts and have replied or you do not know the facts and remain silent so that someone with knowledge will reply.

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    6. @Taaza Khabar : A thousand apologies if my poser to illustrate the issue gave the impression of being personal in any way.

      Permit me to re-phrase. If the need for another order on 33+ is not felt necessary, how will the pensions for the period from 01 Jan 2006 to 30 June 2014 of those who retired before 2006 be re-adjusted to a level without the pro rata reduction applied?

      The circ 500 pensions were given wef 01 Jan 2006 with pro rata reduction to those pre 2006 retirees who had not completed 33 years (including weightage). Now unless orders are issued, in line with those issued for civilians, how will the pro-rata reductions (applicable from 01 Jan 2006 to 30 June 2014)for this class of ESM pensioners (pre 2006 retirees) be removed?

      The circ 555 pension is only from 01 July 2014 onwards. But the circ 500 pension from 01 Jan 2006 to 30 Jun 2014 would have to be increased as if no pro rata reduction had taken place.

      IMHO.

      Is this the same issue that is under query or have I misunderstood?

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    7. @Taaza Khabar : Without the pro rata reduction, the circular 500 pensions for Major, Lt Colonel and Colonel would be 18205, 26265 and 27795 respectively and not, as mentioned by you, "25487, Rs 35458 and Rs 37524 respectively".

      You may look up the said circular to verify.

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    8. @taazakhabar, ashwanisarada and corona8, this thread is closed.Thank you for your opinions.

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  16. Brilliant write up. The PM must be told the following:-
    Brig's pension as per SAI/2008 = 77800
    Brig's pension as per 7th CPC =69800 (again a Dhanpalan in the making?)
    Brig pension as per Cir 500=29145x2.67=77810
    Brig pension as per Cir 555=37570x2.67=100312
    So what was the 7th CPC pay matrix all about, and who is responsible for the hoodwinking in the 7th CPC.? We didn't need a 7th CPC

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    1. The 7CPC was a one man show of Shri DK Rai, a young officer from Accounts and Finance stream. The Presiding officer just signed it not going through his suggestions. May God save the Accounts Department.

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  17. @Kanny. Sir 2.67 is the Rationalization Factor not the Fitment Factor. So pension of a Brig as per C555 will be 37570x2.57=96555.
    Rationalization factor will decide the value of the first cell in which brigs fall in the matrix.
    This writeup has highlighted some issues which affect the BP of each rk. So let us wait and watch for the final outcome, as that will decide the pay of all rks and pensions of all when equalisation takes place 5 yearly as it exists of now. If Mr Reddy gives us the benefit of yearly equalisation, that throws up fresh figures for pensions Wef 01 Jan 16.

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    1. @batsy, 2.57 is the temporary rationalisation (not fitment) factor for all, whether it is 2.67, or 2.72 or 2.81 as per first recommendation of 7 CPC.

      The rationalisation factor as given in the pay matrix, i.e 2.57, or 2.67, or 2.72 or 2.81 will be applied if and when the Committee headed by Finance Secretary agrees with option Two i.e such as adding increments earned and then finding the place in the pay matrix etc etc. Please read 10.2.87 for more details.

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    2. I agree that 2.57 is the FF in the interim till the High level committee decides if this needs to be improved upwards.
      As for the Rationalization Factor(RF) ,even if Option II is not accepted, the RF for respective columns for the Defence Pay Matrix will decide the value of the first cell in each when x by the min basic pay of that rk in the 6cpc to arrive at the min pay of that rk in 7cpc.
      In light of contents of your write up , the basic pay of each rk is an anomaly to be decided

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    3. Is there a provision in the constitution to punish the 7CPC team for wasting the public funds by giving inaccurate PC Report?

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    4. @batsy The point raised about the OROP pension of 37570/- for Brigadier also serves to illustrate another related matter.

      The OROP of 37570/- mentioned in the comment corresponds to a QS of 33+ for the rank of Brigadier. The value of 2.57x37570 = 96554.90 would be equivalent to a VII CPC pay of 177609.80 which has the nearest matrix pay of 176900 in level 13A at index no. 9 i.e. with 8 increments from the lowest level of level 13A. This could turn out to correspond to a QS lower than 33+. It can be seen by considering with how much QS does an Officer with Brigadier rank reach Index No. 9 in level 13A post 01 Jan 2016.

      The QS mismatch with the 2.57x, perhaps even with the proper rationalization factor, is easier to discern in the case of time bound ranks as I have tried to tabulate here https://goo.gl/QqjD5z.

      Applying the proper index number appears to be absolutely crucial for a proper fixation of VII CPC pensions as per the recommendations.

      I do agree with the view expressed on several forums that if the index number is correctly applied, and in some cases in a higher level (e.g. level 12A for older Maj pensioners), the annual "equalization", or even the five yearly one for ensuring OROP, may be less critical than considered presently.

      Civilians will get the equivalent of OROP with the matrix (after their pensions are fixed with index numbers) without the need for any annual or five yearly review/equalization.

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  18. Sir,
    The IDAS officer's minimum required qualification may be "just a Graduation". However to get into IDAS he has to pass the All India Civil services exam. So give the devil his due. It is not due to oversight that the gentleman has ignored the MSP. He is not as Naive as all that. In my view it was a deliberate misrepesentation.
    Ramani

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