The Hindu : National : Anomalies in defence pay will be rectified, says Antony

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Anomalies in defence pay will be rectified, says Antony

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: Defence Minister A.K. Antony has said though most recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission are beneficial to the armed forces, certain issues in the pay revision proposals need to be resolved.

Interacting with presspersons here on Saturday, he said the Central government had cleared a Rs. 6,000-crore package for defence personnel, in addition to the proposed revisions in their pay. He said the soldiers pointed out certain flaws in the new pay package. The government was examining these in detail.

He denied the allegations that a section of soldiers was going to observe Deepavali as “Black Deepavali” and that the Defence Ministry rejected a revised pay package for soldiers drawn up by the Pay Commission.

Lateral entry

Mr. Antony said the Central government’s long-term mission was to ensure lateral entry for soldiers in State and Central services. A policy decision was pending because certain sections of the government had expressed reservations. He said many able-bodied soldiers, an estimated 60,000 men annually, were decommissioned at the relatively young and energetic ages of 35 and 40. The country owed them a second innings in life.

The Defence Ministry was seeking the help of the State governments and the public and private sector enterprises to effectively resettle retired soldiers. In 2007, the Army found employment for 44,000 ex-servicemen. This year, the target was 50,000.

Mr. Antony had directed the State governments to ensure the safety of the families of soldiers protecting far-flung borders. Such families faced many problems and were vulnerable to exploitation and harassment.

The government was taking a great leap forward and offering permanent commission for women in certain branches of the defence forces. He said it was the right of women to seek a better place in the armed forces. The Army would start an institute for training officers.

Mr. Antony is scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart in New Delhi on Monday.

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