Three services chiefs discuss pay, pension issues with panel

NEW DELHI: The three services Chiefs today took part in deliberations of the high-level committee set up by the Prime Minister to address anomalies in pay and pension- related issues of the armed forces.

The Chiefs were invited for the meeting of the high-level committee chaired by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth after they raised objections over its composition and demanded the inclusion of their representation in it, Defence sources said.

The committee has been asked by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to submit its report by tomorrow.

The Chiefs had briefed the panel on their demands soon after it was formed on July 13 by the Prime Minister's Office.

Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne and Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh had also written letters to Defence Minister A K Antony to stress on the need for having a Services' representative in the panel, Navy officials said here.

The high-level committee is looking into the main demands of the armed services such as elevation of all Lt Gen-rank officers to a higher pay grade and 'One-Rank-One-Pension' for retired soldiers.

Earlier in the day, Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma said there would be further consultations with the Committee and it has already been briefed about anomalies in the pay and pension of armed forces and how the issue can be addressed.

"We will see what will happen as the recommendations of the report will go through the political process," he said.