Why's the New Year bonanza only for the 0fficers and not for our Jawans--

The hopes of the armed forces had risen after the PM constituted the three-member ministerial committee headed by external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee in September to look into the four ``core demands''. But the ``piecemeal'' decision of the government now has left the forces stunned.With the armed forces complaining of being handed out step-motherly treatment by successive pay commissions, PMO has decided that the three services will have a dedicated panel to decide salary issues. Though a long pending demand of the forces, the decision does not bring any immediate cheer to Army, Navy and IAF since the next pay commission will come along only after 10 years. As per the PMO communication to the defence ministry this week, only those Lt-Cols serving in combat roles will get PB-4.

Sources say the almost 1.5-million-strong armed forces are seeking a hike of over 400% in their salaries and allowances from amounts fixed by the 5th Central Pay Commission (CPC), which came into effect on January 1, 1996. But whether the 6th CPC gives them what the armed forces think is their due, especially with around 25% of the Rs 96,000-crore defence budget for this fiscal earmarked just for salaries, only time will tell.

It is a good news to officer of defence forces that they had hike in thier salary but what about the jawan, his salary is still equal to civilian peon.I think the govt and the defense minister had made injustice to the jawan. The real fighting force are the Jawans,Sailors and the Airmen of Army,Navy and Airforce respectively. But when it come to matter of benefits- it is for the officers only as always.

Our defence forces are doing excellent job under the current hostile atmosphere. They deserve better than the civilian staff for the reason that the nation's security is foremost and the armed forces are sacrificing their lives for our security. The demand for pay hike by defence personnel is absolutely justified. Their pay package & perks should be AT LEAST double that of a civilian in government service. Only then can we be assured of Quality personnel. It’s sad that our brave soldiers have to literally beg for a rise, when it should have been granted to him gratefully. It is justified demand and should be acted upon immediately. Army personnel at the higher cadre can be compared to any top corporate executive. The salary difference doesn't worth the life risk associated with the profession. Sometimes they are even less paid than a BPO employee. All the Pay Commissions constituted so far have been unfair to the Defence Services, primarily on account of the fact that they do not include a Member from the Defence Services in the Pay Commissions.

It's about time! All armed forces, police force should be well paid ,well trained &well equipped to protect our country, this is the only way out to respect their deeds and services which they render to the mother nation.