New Delhi, Sep 26 (IANS): The armed forces' demand for fair representation on the Seventh Central Pay Commission (CPC) has been supported by retired officers who said it will enable views of the forces to be reflected faithfully.
Indian Air Force chief N.A.K Browne, who is chairman of the chiefs of staffs committee, has written to Defence Minister A.K. Antony for full representation of the armed forces on the commission.
Sources said the IAF chief wrote the letter earlier this month and urged Antony to press for the demand of the services.
There were suggestions earlier for a separate pay commission for military personnel.
The government Wednesday announced the 7th Central Pay Commission, whose recommendations on salaries, payscales and pensions are likely to be implemented from Jan 1, 2016.
The commission will go into the structures of salaries, allowances and pensions of all central government employees and pensioners, including those in defence and railways.
The government has said the names of the chairperson and members of the pay commission and its terms of reference will be finalised shortly.
Lt. Gen. (retd) Raj Kadyan, former deputy chief of army staff, said that representation of the armed forces on the pay panel was absolutely necessary.
"Their (armed forces') service conditions are peculiar and distinct. I fully support the demand for representation on the panel. Even veterans should be represented," he said.
Maj. Gen. Narendra Bahadur Singh, who retired from the Quarter Master General's branch as an additional director general, said that the armed forces should have a separate pay commission in the long run.
However, he said there should at least be a member from military on the seventh pay commission.
"Serving conditions of the armed forces are different. These can't be equated with equivalent rank of civilian counterparts," he said.
Group Captain (retd) V. Krishnappa said the demand for representation of the armed forces on the central pay commission is not new.
The pay commission could be broadened to include a representative from the military, he added.