Perks to be hiked for armed forces in high altitude area
In a major decision that would benefit large number of armed forces personnel posted in high altitude areas and engaged in fighting insurgency and terrorism, government on Thursday decided to hike the perks and allowances and provide some addition...
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: In a major decision that would benefit large number of armed forces personnel posted in high altitude areas and engaged in fighting insurgency and terrorism, government on Thursday decided to hike the perks and allowances and provide some additional benefits to them.
A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved a proposal of the Defence Ministry to provide high altitude (uncongenial climate) allowance at enhanced rates of Rs 5,600 per month and Rs 3,734 per month for officers and personnel below officer ranks respectively.
Briefing newsmen, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said for the last several years, the issues concerning the plight of the armed forces personnel have been taken up with the government.
Their living conditions and the hazards they face during their high altitude postings in places like the Siachen and Nathu La have been considered by the government, he said.
Government expressed deep concern over their plight and Cabinet debated for almost an hour a note brought by Defence Minister A K Antony and decided to enhance the facilities.
Under the package approved, the government decided to provide one additional free rail travel warrant to these personnel per year to visit their hometown, compared with once a year now.
The services personnel would also be eligible to undertake leave journey to their choice station without any distance restriction, Dasmunsi said.
Dasmunsi said Finance Minister P Chidambaram has agreed to provide "whatever money required" for this purpose, which could be an additional Rs 1,000 crore.
He said the same issue concerning the paramilitary forces, who are also posted in difficult border areas, where they form part of the second line of defence, has been referred to a Group of Ministers.
The issue of retirement age of Regimental Commission Officers (RCOs) would also be taken by the GoM, he said.
The decision to provide additional rail facility and leave journey to the armed forces personnel would not only help in alleviating the high level of stress they experienced, but would also keep their morale high, the Minister said.
The decision to provide higher allowance would compensate the hardship faced by the troops deployed in difficult, hazardous and isolated altitude areas, he said.
The move follows the recent spate of stress-related violence in the armed forces including suicides and fratricidal killings.
A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved a proposal of the Defence Ministry to provide high altitude (uncongenial climate) allowance at enhanced rates of Rs 5,600 per month and Rs 3,734 per month for officers and personnel below officer ranks respectively.
Briefing newsmen, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said for the last several years, the issues concerning the plight of the armed forces personnel have been taken up with the government.
Their living conditions and the hazards they face during their high altitude postings in places like the Siachen and Nathu La have been considered by the government, he said.
Government expressed deep concern over their plight and Cabinet debated for almost an hour a note brought by Defence Minister A K Antony and decided to enhance the facilities.
Under the package approved, the government decided to provide one additional free rail travel warrant to these personnel per year to visit their hometown, compared with once a year now.
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The services personnel would also be eligible to undertake leave journey to their choice station without any distance restriction, Dasmunsi said.
Dasmunsi said Finance Minister P Chidambaram has agreed to provide "whatever money required" for this purpose, which could be an additional Rs 1,000 crore.
He said the same issue concerning the paramilitary forces, who are also posted in difficult border areas, where they form part of the second line of defence, has been referred to a Group of Ministers.
The issue of retirement age of Regimental Commission Officers (RCOs) would also be taken by the GoM, he said.
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The decision to provide additional rail facility and leave journey to the armed forces personnel would not only help in alleviating the high level of stress they experienced, but would also keep their morale high, the Minister said.
The decision to provide higher allowance would compensate the hardship faced by the troops deployed in difficult, hazardous and isolated altitude areas, he said.
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The move follows the recent spate of stress-related violence in the armed forces including suicides and fratricidal killings.
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