Date:10/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/10/stories/2008041053571300.htm

National

Panel to examine grievances of armed forces

New Delhi: With the armed forces and IPS officers voicing their unhappiness over the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, the government set up a high-level committee on Tuesday to look into their grievances.

The three-member committee comprises Finance Secretary D. Subbarao, Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and Defence Secretary Vijay Singh. The government’s step comes in the wake of IPS officers meeting Congress president Sonia Gandhi to convey their grievances.

The three defence service chiefs have complained that the armed forces have not got a fair treatment. They submitted detailed modifications to the government, pointing out that officers of the rank of Major and Colonels in the Army faced stagnation.

The committee will look into the modifications and submit its report within two months, official sources said.

The armed forces are seeking, among other things, Rs.1,000 to Rs.3,000 hike in the minimum military service pay for personnel below the officer ranks. — PTI