REJOINDER TO THE EARNEST APPEAL BY AN EX SNCO

Eventhough the article on pay band change of SNCOs of IAF  dealt with the subject in length  supported by concrete arguments and reasons , I   personally feel that  the  issue needs to be  examined in the light of  the recommendations  and subsequent  approval of  the GOI. The GOI has added insult to injury by endorsing the recommendation  of the pay commission in this regard.

                                                          There is no doubt that the tempers are running high among the SNCOs as a class over the issue .But most of them are unable to express or convey their protest  in the matter as they are busy engaged in the prime task of  meeting the ends together  with the small pensions they earn.The predicament  of the serving  ones  are  well known.

                                                            The sixth pay commission  has kept  all the scales  upto S8 OF THE 5 th pay commission in PB-1. Scale S9 was kept in  PB-2 .It can be seen that   the starting pay of  S8-was  4500-125-7000.  So  it can be seen that any  scale   which  had a starting pay more than 4500 in the 5 th pay commission  qualifies to be placed in the   pb-2. But to the gross  disadvantage  x group sergeants of IAF  who  had a  starting basic pay  of 5000 as per 5^th pay commission is  placed in pay band -1.The  GOI owes an explanation to  the x group sergeants  regarding the reason and logic behind this  injustice  perpetuated against them  which amounts to utter discrimination to the disadvantage of combatant soldiers when compared to  civilian employees.

         

                                                     Let us approach this PB issue  through another angle. The starting basic pay of x group sergeants are 5000, which when multiplied by 1.86  [the pay commission  factor] gives 9300. It can be seen that the starting pay of pay band -2 is also  9300. Now , how can the denial of the eligible pay band 2 to x group sergeants be  justified.

Needless to add the  sergeant promotion is limited by  the availabilty of  vacancies and is a selection post with  rigorous selection standards  determined by  examination and  annual assesments.

                                                        By following the well established convention of  taking a  beneficial view and upgrading the salaries    to avoid anomalies  when  pay scales are determined  the  GOI   should upgrade the pay band of all  sergeants to PB_2.It is their  entitlement with respect to their qualification, nature of job and skills involved.The accommodation  of sergeants in SNCOs mess where they hold important  appointments as property member etc reveals their special status . This  will avoid further  controversies and  anomalies by  upgrading only  x group sergeants

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