Sixth Pay Commission: Paramilitary forces unhappy with pay panel

Sixth Pay Commission: Paramilitary forces unhappy with pay panel

Sudhi Ranjan Sen
Saturday, October 18, 2008, (New Delhi)

For the UPA government, the Sixth Pay Commission has created more problems than it has solved. The paramilitary -- the third largest force in the world -- too is unhappy over the recommendations and feels cheated.

Mohinder Lal was a star of the Border Security Force. But despite his 35 years in the force and medals for shooting competitions, he couldn't go beyond Deputy Inspector General.

Most cadre officers of the paramilitary face hit a promotion and pay barrier unlike their counterparts in the military. And this is taking a toll on recruitments.

Individual officers have written to the Home Minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi saying that pay panel recommendations are unacceptable.

A delegation has also met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukerjee who heads the committee reviewing the pay and perks of the armed forces.

The paramilitary are demanding more senior level post for cadre officers instead of IPS officers and parity with military specially in the cutting edge level of lieutenant Colonels.

Most of the BSF spends 90 per cent of their career guarding the borders or fighting insurgencies.

"People will join the paramilitary but good people will not come anymore," said Mohinder Lal, Deputy Inspector General, BSF.

Like the military, the points raised by paramilitary is valid and has serious implications. But what is surprising and baffling is the inability of bureaucracy to deal with them satisfactorily.


Source: http://www.ndtv.com/