No Downgradation in the existing equivalence of the service ranks in Defence Service Personnel

No Downgradation in the existing equivalence of the service ranks in Defence Service Personnel

Rank Parity

The Government is fully sensitive to the concerns expressed by the Armed Forces from time to time, including those relating to rank equation, allowances and benefits. The Government has already clarified that there has been no downgradation or change in the existing equivalence of the service ranks vis-à-vis their civilian counterparts.

In recognition of the unique aspects of Defence Service, a number of facilities and benefits in cash and kind are admissible to Defence Service personnel, including tax concessions available in Canteen Stores Depot, concession vouchers for travel in Railways and by Air, apart from compensation granted by way of various allowances for unique risks and hardships borne by the Defence personnel. A list of 28 risk and hardship related allowances and 31 other allowances and concessions available to the Armed Forces personnel and the revised rates at which the same are payable following the decision taken by the Government on the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission has been uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Defence and can be found at mod.gov.in/def/sites/default/files/Revisedrates.pdf.

As regards ration, the Seventh Pay Commission had recommended that the provision of free rations and the grant of Ration Money Allowance to officers of Defence Forces posted in peace areas should be withdrawn. The Government vide its resolution No.11-1/2016-IC dated 06 July 2017, decided that Ration Money Allowance will continue to be paid to them by direct credit to their bank accounts.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Santokh Singh Chaudhary in Lok Sabha today.

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Implementation of the Govt. decision on the recommendations of Committee on the issue related to Defence Service personnel and Ex-Servicemen

OFFICE OF THE PR. CONTROLLER OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS (PENSIONS)

DRAUPADI GHAT, ALLAHABAD- 211014

MOST IMPORTANT CIRCULAR

Circular No. 525

Dated: 24.02.2014

Subject: Implementation of the Govt. decision on the recommendations of Committee on the issue related to Defence Service personnel and Ex-Servicemen —For pre-2006 commissioned Officers.

Reference:-This office circular No. 494 dated 19th March 2013 and Circular No. 503 dated 17th January 2013.

PDAs are aware that as per this office circulars cited under reference, Family pension in respect of PBORs will be revised by PDAs as per tables attached with above cited circulars. It has been observed that various PDAs feel difficulties while revising pension.

Clarifications on some of the major problems are given as under 

(1) The Enhanced rate of OFP has been revised w.e.f 1.1.2006 in r/o pre-2006 family pensioner vide this office circular no 494 dated 19th march 2013. This rate of family pension is payable w.e.f 1.1.2006 to 23.09.2012 and thereafter according to this office circular no 503 dated 17 Jan 2013. The enhanced rate of OFP rate for the rank of Hony rank such as Hony Naik, TS Naik, Hony Havidar and Hony Nb sub is not given in this circular no 494 dated 19.03.2013. It is hereby clarified that since Hony. Rank of Naik, Havildar and Havildar holding Hony Rank of Nb Sub draw pay in pay scale of Sepoy, Naik and Havildar respectively, therefore, they are entitled for modified parity with reference to substantive rank held at the time of retirement / discharge / invalidment except for the Naik (TS) who draw Pay Scale of Naik and therefore entitlement for modified parity will refer to Naik Rank.

(2) A pensioner who had retired with the rank and granted ACP-I will be eligible for revision of pension of next higher rank, and, ACP-II will be eligible for revision of pension of next higher rank of ACP-I w.e.f. 24.09.2012 as per circular no. 501 .Therefore, PDAs are authorized to revise Ordinary Family Pension (Enhanced Rate and Normal Rate, Special Family Pension, Liberalized Family Pension) on the same analogy as applicable to the pensioners/ family pensioners of the Service Pension of the above mentioned category.

(3) Ordinary Family Pension (Enhanced Rate and Normal Rate) for NCs (E) is not given in circular no. 502. It is clarified that rate of OFF may be revised according to lowest rank and group.

(4) Revision of Family Pension of DSC: Ordinary /Special/ Liberalized Family Pension for NOK of DSC personnel are not provided in this office Circular no 502 and 503 dated 17.01.2013. The family pension of DSC personnel who are in receipt of family pension for DSC service only is to be revised on the same rates as given for family pensioner of Regular Army. DSC personnel on "clerical duty" and "other duty" are entitled for family pension of regular Army personnel of group "Y" and group "Z" respectively.

The facility of dual or two family pension to the families of Armed Forces Pensioners who get second re-employment in Civil departments after getting retired/discharged from military service and were in receipt of ordinary family pension as circulated vide this office circular No. 504 dated 17.01.2013 is also applicable to the DSC personnel and circulated vide this office circular no 513 dated 19.07.2013. Thus, issue of Corrigendum PPO by this office will regularize second family pension of the DSC personnel. Therefore, in such cases, PDAs should not revise the rates of second Family Pension as per rate applicable to regular Army personnel, but according to Corr PPO issued by this office.

(5) PDAs are already directed to revise the pension as per table appended to MOD letter enclosed after ascertaining the actual qualifying service subject to the maximum term of engagement for each rank as applicable from time to time. It is hereby clarified that the phrase "Term of engagement" implies "Maximum qualifying service for grant of service pension" at the time of retirement. Therefore, Service pension of the individual will be revised with reference to actual qualifying service subject to "Maximum qualifying service for grant of service pension" i.e. in no case Service pension of the individual will be revised for more than maximum qualifying service for grant of service pension, except those exception as provided in Appendix-X to this office circular No. 501 dated 17/01/2013.

(6) This circular has been uploaded on this office website www.pcdapension.nic.in for disseminating across the all concerned.

Please acknowledge receipt.

Sd/-

(A. K. Nigam)

ACDA (P)

No. Gts/Tech/0167/XVI 

Dated: 24/02/2014 

Source: http://pcdapension.nic.in/6cpc/Circular-525.pdf

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Implementation of the Govt. decision on the recommendations of Committee on the issue related to Defence Service personnel and Ex-Servicemen -For pre-2006 commissioned Officers.

OFFICE OF THE PR. CONTROLLER OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS (PENSION) 

DRAUPADI GHAT, ALLAHABAD- 211014 

Circular No. 520

Dated: 24.12.2013

Subject: Implementation of the Govt. decision on the recommendations of Committee on the issue  related to Defence Service personnel and Ex-Servicemen -For pre-2006 commissioned Officers. 

Reference:-This office circular No. 500 dated 17th January 2013, Circular No. 503 dated 17th January  2013 and Circular No. 508 dated 19th February 2013. 

PDAs are aware that as per this office circulars cited under reference, Family pension in respect of Commissioned Officers will be revised by PDAs as per tables attached with above cited circulars. It has been observed that various PDAs feel difficulties while revising pension w.e.f. 24.09.2012. 

Clarifications on some of major problems are given as under- 

1. As per Govt. Orders issued in implementation of CSC-2012 the revised rate of various type of family  pension have been linked with qualifying service in case of JCO and ORs. No such linkage of family pension with qualifying service has been provided in cases of Commissioned Officers. As such revised rates of ordinary family pension as provided in Circular No. 500 and revised rates of other family pension viz. Special Family Pension/Dependent Pension/ Liberalised Family Pension and Liberalised Dependent  Family Pension provided for AMC/ADC/RVC officers as well as officers other than these categories under this office Circulars No. 503 dated 17.01.2013 as further amended vide circulars No. 508 dated 19.02.2013 may please be paid forthwith. 

However, these rates have not been provided for TA officers, EC/SSC officers etc. It is hereby  clarified that family pension of these category of officers may be revised as under— 

(i) TA Officers: - The Next of Kin of TA officers are entitled to Special Family Pension/ Dependent  Pension/Liberalised Family Pension and Liberalised Dependent Family Pension as per rates provided for  officers other than AMC/ADC/RVC categories. The reason for providing separate table for retiring pension  for TA officers is that TA officers are not entitled to rank weightage in qualifying service as provided to other officers retired prior to 1.1.2006. Since Special Family Pension/Dependent Pension/ Liberalised Family Pension and Liberalised Dependent Pension does not depend upon qualifying service, therefore there will be no effect on these pension. 

(ii) EC/SSC officers are at par with regular commissioned officers in the matter of grant of Special  Family Pension/ Dependent Pension /Liberalised Family Pension and Liberalised Dependent Pension. As  such the table applicable to regular commissioned officers would also be applicable to EC/SSC officers. 

(iii) The officers who served in the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy as medical officers and were in  receipt of NPA would also be entitled to pension as per rates as provided for AMC/ADC/RVC officers. 

2. Further, The minimum service pension/family pension for pre-2006 retired commissioned officers have been provided in Annexure A to G attached with this office circular No. 500 dated 17th Jan 2013. Few PDAs are feeling difficulties while revising pension according to Corps. The corps of the officers in case of Army officers may be identified from corps mentioned in original PPO. Further the officer's category may also be identified from prefix attached to their personnel No. The prefix and corresponding category of officers is mentioned here under- 

MR -  Officers of Army Medical Corps. 

DR -  Officers of Army Dental Corps 

V - Officers of Remount veterinary Corps. 

TA -  Officers of Territorial Army. 

NT R-  NON TECH. Officers of Army Medical Corps. 

EC -  Emergency Service Commissioned Officers. 

SS -  Short Service Commissioned Officers. 

IC, SL, SC, RC- General Category of officers. 

NOTE: -  The non technical officers of Army Medical Corps are entitled to pension/Family pension as  officers other than AMC/ADC/RVC categories. 

However, in doubtful cases of Army Officers, matter may be referred to the G-1/Military section  of this office for clarification on category of officer and his entitlement of pension. However, in case of Air Force and Navy Officers, respective pension sanctioning authority may be contacted for identification of category of pensioners. 

3.  It is also intimated that rate of LFP for children in cases where the Armed Forces Personnel is  not survived by widow but is survived by child /children only , is not provided in circular No. 503 dated  17/01/2013. It is hereby clarified that the rate of LFP in such cases will be revised at the rate equal to 60% of rate of LFP which is authorized to widow in terms of circular No. 503 dated 17/01/2013. 

4.  It is also reiterated that the pension may be revised as per existing provisions of this office  circular No. 500 & 508 in the light of clarification as prescribed above. 

Please acknowledge receipt.

No. Gts/Tech/0167-XVI

Dated: -24.12/2013

Sd/-

(A.K. Nigam) 

ACDA (P) 

Source:http://pcdapension.nic.in/6cpc/Circular-520.pdf

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Implementation of the Government decision on the recommendations of Committee on the issues related to Defence Service Personnel and Ex-Servicemen, 2012 - Minimum guaranteed pension to pre-2006 Commissioned Officers pensioners/family pensioners.

No. 1 (11)/2012-D(Pen/Policy)
Government of India
Ministry of Defence,
Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare

New Delhi, Dated 17th January 2013.

To
The Chief of the Army Staff
The Chief of the Naval Staff
The Chief of the Air Staff

SUBJECT: Implementation of the Government decision on the recommendations of Committee on the issues related to Defence Service Personnel and Ex-Servicemen, 2012 - Minimum guaranteed pension to pre-2006 Commissioned Officers pensioners/family pensioners.

Sir,

   The under signed is directed to refer to this Ministry’s letter No. 17(4)/2008 (1)/D(Pen/Policy) dated 11.11.2008 as amended, issued for implementation of Government decision on the recommendations of the Sixth CPC for revision of pension/family pension in respect of pre-2006 Armed Forces pensioners/family pensioners. As per provisions contained in Para 5 therein, with effect from 1.1.2006 revised pension and revised ordinary family pension of all pre-2006 Armed Forces pensioners/family pensioners determined in terms of fitment formula laid down in Para 4.1 of above said letter dated 11.11.2008, shall in no case be lower than fifty percent and thirty percentage respectively, of the minimum of the pay in the pay band plus the Grade pay corresponding to the pre-revised scale from which the pensioner had retired/discharged/invalided out/died including Military Service Pay and ‘X Group pay, where applicable. Accordingly, rates of minimum guaranteed pension/ordinary family pension for Commissioned Officers were notified under Annexure-II (for pensioners of Regular Commission), Annexure-IIA (for pensioners of Military Nursing Services), Annexure-IIB (for pensioners of Territorial Army) and Annexure-IIC (Post-1996 Emergency/Short Service Commission pensioners) of this Ministry’s letter No 17(3)/2010/D(Pen/Policy) dated 15.11.2010 and No 17(4)/2008(1)/D(Pen/Policy)-Vol. VI dated 18.1.2011. The minimum guaranteed pension / family pension in respect of pre1996 Emergency/Short Service Commission pensioners has, however, been notified vide this Ministry’s letter No 1(1)/2007-D(Pen/Policy) dated 3.9.2009.

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