Pay panel report: Armed Forces feel cheated

[Spring Onion]

Pay panel report: Armed Forces feel cheated
2 Sep 2008, 0903 hrs IST, Rajat Pandit ,TNN


NEW DELHI: Unbridled anger is brewing among the officers of the armed forces against the Centre for notifying the Sixth Pay Commission without taking into account their demands for restoring parity with their civilian and paramilitary counterparts.

With the officers raising their voice against the ‘‘mischievous bureaucratic design to cheat us once again’’, sources said the chiefs of staff committee, comprising General Deepak Kapoor, Admiral Sureesh Mehta and Air Chief Marshal F H Major, may even take up the issue with the government once more in a last-ditch effort.

The main grouse of the armed forces is that a ‘‘raw deal’’ has been given to Lt-Colonels and their equivalent ranks in IAF (Wing Commander) and Navy (Commander), the ‘‘cutting edge’’ of fighting formations, squadrons and warships.

‘‘The extant parity of Lt-Col rank officers has been lowered by retaining them in Pay Band-3 (Rs 15,600-39,100), while raising similarly placed civilians and paramilitary officers to PB-4 (Rs 37,400-67,000),’’ said an officer.

Lt-Col rank officers, incidentally, constitute the major bulk of the officer cadre in the armed forces. Of the 54,770 officers in the 13-lakh strong armed forces, almost 19,000 are Lt-Cols. These include 11,187 in the Army, 4,216 in IAF and 3,528 in Navy.

‘‘Civilian and paramilitary officers who were in a lower pay bracket and were hitherto drawing lesser pay as compared to Lt-Cols will now draw a higher basic salary in the running pay band,’’ said the officer.

Said another officer, ‘‘Lt-Colonels, for instance, will now be drawing Rs 14,000 less than director-level IAS officers and Rs 11,000 less than directors from other civil services. This is gross injustice.’’

The forces are also aghast at the government notification placing all directors-general of police and their equivalents over Lt-Generals by the creation of a new ‘‘higher administrative grade-plus’’.

‘‘The salary of DGPs has been fixed higher than Lt-Generals to further increase disparity. Till the Fourth Pay Commission, all DGPs were a rung lower than Lt-Generals. The Fifth brought the two on par,’’ said a senior officer.

‘‘The Sixth Pay Commission had maintained them on par but the empowered committee of secretaries that went into its recommendations has quietly placed Lt-Generals below DGPs,’’ he said.

The armed forces are, however, ‘‘satisfied’’ that most of the demands raised in connection with jawans, NCOs and JCOs have been met. There will be a 50% to 60% increase in salaries of PBOR (personnel below officer rank) as per the new notification.

Pay panel report: Armed Forces feel cheated-India-The Times of India

 

[Spring Onion]

So only Generals have the problem.

I guess the new salary raise for others is fine.

 

[su-47]

our army has to pay soldiers more. buying high-tech military equipment doesnt make a good army. we need our soldiers to be motivated. these are men who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the motherland. but if they cant make their ends meet, then they will feel dejected and uncared for by the same country they are risking thier lives for.

 

[third eye]

You know..this is the only time I feel the Pak Army has an edge on the Indian Army.

Babus & Boffins have made monkeys out of a splendid organisation.

 

[Spring Onion]

Navy Chief meets Manmohan Singh to resolve pay-related issues

Fri, Sep 5 09:35 PM

New Delhi, Sept 5 (ANI): Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh late on Friday evening and brought up the "core issues" dogging the defence personnel in the government-notified Sixth Pay Commission report.

After the Defence Minister, it is the Prime Minister's doors that the Armed Forces have knocked for resolving issues regarding "disparities" and "lowering of status" in the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC).

Mehta, in his capacity as the Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman, went to brief Singh on his recent overseas visit to Japan and South Korea, when he brought up the pay issues and later handed over a written representation from the Armed Forces, Defnece Ministry sources said.

"The Armed Forces have full faith in the Union Cabinet and we want only the political leadership to consider the issues of disparities and lowering of status of defence officers and men, and not leave it to the Anomalies Committee," sources said.

The Navy chief, sources said, apprised Singh of the four important issues that the defence forces had flagged in the notified CPC report.

"The notification of the CPC report has unwillingly upset the existing relativities between the defence forces and other central government Class-I officers, including the Indian Police Service (IPS).

"This has not only resulted in lowering of their status, especially in the middle ranks, but also has an effect on the organisational structure in various fields where they work together," the Navy chief was quoted as stating in his written representation to the Prime Minister. (ANI)

Navy Chief meets Manmohan Singh to resolve pay-related issues - Yahoo! India News

 

[Rohit]

Hi Friends, Can someone tell what is the salary of Pakistani army officers and other rank soldiers.

 

[Spring Onion]

Hi Friends, Can someone tell what is the salary of Pakistani army officers and other rank soldiers.

Are you going to put the proposal for gving the same to Indian army officers

 

[Rohit]

Are you going to put the proposal for gving the same to Indian army officers

Nope, just would like to konw the numbers.

 

[Imran Khan]

its not a secret but we need one of our service man to reply you salary with other things wich our army gets

 

[Imran Khan]

some time this kind of propaganda



Pakistani army's '$20bn' business

By Najad Abdullahi


The army is considered by many Pakistanis as one of the country's only functioning
institutions but its influence over the economy is a cause for concern [GALLO/GETTY]


As legislators in Pakistan go to the polls against a backdrop of political protests and religious militancy, a recent book on the Pakistani military has thrown light on the army's role in private enterprise.

The Pakistani military's "welfare foundations" run thousands of businesses worth tens of billions of dollars, ranging from street-corner petrol pumps to sprawling industrial plants, says Ayesha Siddiqa, the author of Military Inc: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy.

Special report


And Siddiqa told Al Jazeera that whoever emerges as the eventual winner following Saturday's presidential election, they are unlikely to tame the economic power of the military.

"These politicians continue to negotiate with the military and despite populist politics, and calls for civilian rule, they are still inclined to strengthen the military."

The main street of any Pakistani town bears testament to the economic power of the military, with army-owned bakeries, banks, insurance companies and universities, usually fronted by civilian employees.

Retired military personnel are often involved in the army's business ventures, and according to Siddiqa, this reflects a similar pattern found in the Turkish and Chinese militaries.

"Pakistan, however, displays more of an indirect exploitation through the retired personnel. They act as primary conduits for the covert use of the country's resources," she said.

Double standards

Siddiqa says the military's private wealth could be as high $20bn, a "rough figure", she says, split between $10bn in land and $10 in private military assets.


The Pakistani military is under pressure,
but profits are said to be healthy [EPA]


She also estimates that the military controls one-third of all heavy manufacturing in the country and up to seven per cent of Pakistani private assets.

The author told Al Jazeera that the naming of the new army chief, and a power-sharing deal between Pervez Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto, is another attempt to maintain the army's control in politics.

Bhutto herself had supported a number of the military's business ventures.

A number of projects by the welfare foundations were sanctioned under her government.

"None of the political governments raised any major objections to the military-business complex during the 1990s," Siddiqa said.

Ventures 'needed'

Discussion of the military's role in Pakistani society has provoked strong reactions, with many military officials refusing to speak to Al Jazeera about the issue.

But Talat Hussain, a retired general, told Al Jazeera that discussion of the military's role in private enterprise was considered taboo.

"This area has always been considered a sacred cow in our society".


Whoever wins the forthcoming elections, the
military is likely to remain a force [EPA]
According to government figures, welfare foundations, or 'pensions funds' for retired personnel, invest in over $10bn in commercial ventures including oil and gas exploration, sugar mills, security and employment services.

Last year, the commercial operations of the Fauji (Soldier) Foundation accrued at least $500 million.

However, Syed Arif Hasan, the managing director of the Fauji Foundation, believes there is nothing wrong with the army's commercial interests.

He said: "It is vital that we invest in the commercial sector. These businesses generate the welfare schemes for hundreds of thousands of retired soldiers and officers."

"There are very little options, and it also benefits the country's economy."

Asked if there was a conflict of interest in the army's penetration into society, he denied Siddiqa's claim that political control is a factor.

"We have no intention to politicise welfare organisations," he said.

According to their website, the Fauji Foundation provides welfare services to around 9.6 million people, seven per cent of Pakistan's population.

Fauji labels itself a 'welfare-cum-industrial' group, and is dependent on industrial operations to maintain their services, as approximately 80 per cent of Fauji's profits are obtained through investment.

No apologies

The military boasts that it can run such organisations better than what they view as "incompetent and corrupt civilians".

In a speech in 2004, to open a new business owned by the Fauji Foundation, Musharraf boasted of "exceptional" military-owned banks, cement and fertiliser plants.

"Why is anyone jealous if the retired military officers... are doing a good job contributing to the economy?" he said.

Siddiqa fears that her book may step on some powerful toes. "Over the past three years a lot of my friends have advised me not to publish this book. They think I have suicidal tendencies."



Source: Al Jazeera

 

[Imran Khan]

Book shines light on Pakistan military's '£10bn empire'· Business interests range from cement to cornflakes
· Little transparency into officer-led conglomeratesDeclan Walsh in Islamabad The Guardian, Thursday May 31 2007 Article historyThe Pakistani military's private business empire could be worth as much as £10bn, according to a ground-breaking study. Retired and serving officers run secretive industrial conglomerates, manufacture everything from cement to cornflakes, and own 12m acres [4.8m hectares] of public land, says Dr Ayesha Siddiqa, author of Military Inc: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy.
The book tackles a previously taboo subject - the range and depth of the military's business interests - considered a major factor in the ambitions of the generals who have ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 60-year history. "It feeds directly into the military's political power; it's an expression of their personal and organisation strength," said Ms Siddiqa, a former director of research at the Pakistan navy.

Five giant conglomerates, known as "welfare foundations", run thousands of businesses, ranging from street corner petrol pumps to sprawling industrial plants. The main street of any Pakistani town bears testament to their economic power, with military-owned bakeries, banks, insurance companies and universities, usually fronted by civilian employees. Ms Siddiqa estimates that the military controls one-third of all heavy manufacturing and up to 7% of private assets.

Profits are supposed to be pumped back into schools, hospitals and other welfare facilities - the military claims it has 9 million beneficiaries - but there is little transparency. "There is little evidence that pensioners are benefiting from these welfare facilities," she said.

Of the 96 businesses run by the four largest foundations, only nine file public accounts. The generals spurn demands by parliament to account for public monies they spend.

The military's penetration into society has accelerated under President Pervez Musharraf, who has also parachuted 1,200 officers into key positions in public organisations such as universities and training colleges. The military boasts that it can run such organisations better than incompetent and corrupt civilians.

In a 2004 speech to open a new industry owned by the Fauji ("Soldier") Foundation, General Musharraf boasted of "exceptional" military-owned banks, cement and fertiliser plants. "Why is anyone jealous if the retired military officers or the civilians with them are doing a good job contributing to the economy?" he said.

But Ms Siddiqa says the military businesses thrive, thanks to invisible state subsidies in the form of free land, the use of military assets, and loans to bail them out when they run into trouble. "There are gross inefficiencies and the military is mired in crony capitalism. The primary purpose of a trained military is war fighting. They are not designed for the corporate sector."

Her £10bn estimate of military wealth is a "rough figure", she says, split between £6bn in land and private military assets.

"Military Inc." comes at a sensitive time for Gen Musharraf, who is struggling to rebuild his popularity after the botched dismissal of the chief justice, Muhammad Iftikhar Chaudhry, in March. The move sparked nationwide demonstrations that have snowballed into a powerful protest movement. The furore has offered an insight into the raw power wielded by the generals. This week, Justice Chaudhry told the supreme court how military intelligence chiefs spent hours trying to pressure him to quit on March 9, before placing him under effective house arrest.

Ms Siddiqa fears her book, which names names and pours cold water on boastful claims, may step on some powerful toes. "Over the past three years a lot of my friends have advised me not to publish this book. They think I have suicidal tendencies."

But Talat Hussain, a retired general and political analyst, said Ms Siddiqa was a "courageous" researcher. "This area has always been considered a sacred cow in our society," he said.

The book will be launched in Islamabad today. The main military spokesman, Major General Waheed Arshad, said he had not yet obtained a copy. "Let me read it and then I'll get back to you," he said.

 

[Imran Khan]

Army launches Rs 10bn troop welfare project

* Strong focus on education and healthcare

RAWALPINDI: The army has launched a project worth Rs 10 billion in all garrisons to improve the accommodation, education and medical facilities and to meet the food requirements of soldiers.

The projects are part of Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani’s decision to make 2008 the ‘Year of the Soldier’. According to ISPR ‘Year of the Soldier’ literature, four areas, including family accommodation, proper ration scales, uniforms and education facilities for the children of soldiers have been identified as areas of particular focus.

“A total of 4,864 flats in 41 garrisons will be constructed,” the ISPR said, adding the accommodation project would be undertaken in two phases. The first phase will be completed by December 31, costing Rs 7 billion.

“A total of 2,864 new quarters and apartments including 450 for officers of Major rank and above, 532 for junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and 1,882 for jawans and non-combatant enrolled personnel will be constructed,” it said.

In the second phase a total of 2000 new apartments and quarters costing Rs 3 billion will be constructed by March 31, 2009.

Education and healthcare: To improve education facilities the army plans to set up a military college in Murree where induction will be carried out in line with the Jhelum Military College.

The army also plans to take concrete measures to enhance the capacity building of all combined military hospitals (CMHs). “In this regard all CMHs will have pharmacies with the best medicines available and clinical tests will be conducted around the clock to ensure immediate diagnosis and medial treatment,” the ISPR said.

The army chief had also ordered a uniform allowance be paid to every soldier, with Rs 1,200 per combat camouflage uniform and Rs 700 for khaki uniforms.

The army chief had also asked that the Internal Security (IS) allowance that was discontinued over the year be paid. The allowance varies according to rank and the number of days a soldier has been on duty, and will be paid to all troops who have been on IS duties since February 1.

Kayani has also raised ration scales of both dry and fresh ration to improve the quality and quantity of food available to soldiers, and has called for kitchens and dining halls to be improved. The COAS has also introduced Subedar Majors (SMs) at various tiers of command to enhance the level of interaction between commanders and soldiers. sajjad malik

 

[Rohit]

Hi Mate, I asked only the salary, just for a quick comparison.
There is a lot of noise about Indian Army not being paid well, I want to know what kind of salary our counterparts are paid.

 

[Spring Onion]

Hi Mate, I asked only the salary, just for a quick comparison.
There is a lot of noise about Indian Army not being paid well, I want to know what kind of salary our counterparts are paid.

Dear the noise is being made by your own Indian armymen and Navy men and so on.

Trust me we are not making the noise
So there is no justification in comparing salary of Indian army or forces people with that of ours.

Concentrate on the issue.

 

[Rohit]

Dear the noise is being made by your own Indian armymen and Navy men and so on.

Trust me we are not making the noise
So there is no justification in comparing salary of Indian army or forces people with that of ours.

Concentrate on the issue.

Did I ever say that you are making noise. Its clear that the issue is raised in India.

If you do not have the numbers, leave it.