Defence forces approach 7th pay commission seeking pay parity

NEW DELHI: The three services of the defence force have submitted a joint memorandum to the Seventh Central Pay Commission seeking pay parity, the government said today.

"They have sought review and enhancement of grade pay of service officers and personnel below officer rank and initial pay fixation of lieutenant colonel, colonel and brigadier equivalents", Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in Rajya Sabha today.

In a written reply, he said they have also sought placing of all lieutenant general in higher administrative grade scale and grant of non-functional upgradation to defence services officers.

They have also sought common pay scales for junior commissioned officers, the minister said.

To a related question, he said the principle of one rank one pension has been accepted by the government and the modalities for its implementation have been discussed with various stakeholders.