Article by Maj Navdeep Singh on Indian Military Info website

MONDAY,

OCTOBER

29,

2012

Status Hit : Specific focus required

Though the implementation of the 6th Central Pay Commission recommendations in its final form, even after undergoing surgical
changes through various committees and groups, resulted in degradation of status of military ranks in the official pecking order, what
is more glaring is the fact that some organizations are not even willing to follow the Grade Pay parity postulated by the concept of
Grade Pay after the 6th CPC and are flouting all laid down parameters, equivalencies and parities to impunity. In fact, military officers
are being placed below even State Government officers with similar Grade Pay in certain organizations.
The scheme of things in these three set-ups requires the immediate attention of the Services Headquarters without fail:
A. Ministry of External Affairs : As fully discussed in an earlier blogpost, military officers with Grade Pay of Rs 8900 are being
clubbed with other Central and State Government officers with Rs 8700 Grade Pay and military officers with Grade Pay Rs 8700 are
being clubbed with other officers with Grade Pay of Rs 7600 in our missions abroad. This not only has a direct fall out on military
status but also on allowances admissible on foreign shores. There was even a situation where a civilian junior serving under a
military officer in a mixed organization in India became the latters senior when both of them went on deputation to the same
organization under the Ministry of External Affairs.

B. Cabinet Secretariat : Even in certain appointments of the Cabinet Secretariat, a skewed equation for deputation and absorption
is being followed wherein the actual status and even Grade Pay have been given a complete go-bye. A Commandant of the Coast
Guard serving under a Captain of the Indian Navy thus becomes the latters superior if both of them opt for deputation to the
Cabinet Secretariat on certain appointments at the same time.
C. Pubic Enterprises : For appointments at the level of Grade Pay Rs 8700, officers of the rank of Brigadier (Rs 8900) are being
sought by the Public Enterprises Selection Board. Officers of the rank of Colonel (Grade Pay Rs 8700) are being appointed on
appointments carrying the Grade Pay of Rs 7600. An immediate case needs to be taken up by the Services for this long standing
anomaly. A recent advertisement reflecting the above can be accessed here.
D. Survey of India : In recent selections for secondment, throwing all statutory rules providing for protection of seniority to the
winds, officers of the rank of Major have been absorbed on posts carrying the Grade Pay of Rs 5400, that is equivalent to a
Lieutenant of the Army. This despite the fact that the protection of seniority, status and Grade Pay was promised to military officers
before the selections were made.
All such issues need to be taken up on case to case basis otherwise we should brace ourselves for a further slide after the 7 th CPC.
Posted by N