The Defence Ministry is yet to clear the file on allowances and revised pensions for military personnel under the Seventh Pay Commission, almost two months after they were approved by the Union Cabinet, official sources said.
“The Defence Ministry is yet to clear the file and then forward it for approval of the Finance Ministry. This includes disability pension, revised pension for those retired January 1, 2016 and allowances,” a senior official told The Hindu .
They have already been implemented for civilian employees in the government “over a month ago”, the official stated. The Union Cabinet had approved the recommendations in June-end and the gazette notifying them was issued on July 6. Based on this, various ministries were supposed to issue orders implementing the revisions.
It has been learnt that the file is pending with the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare.
“There is no accountability. The files have not been sent till now,” an official said.
The allowances were effective from July 1, 2017 and will benefit 34 lakh civilian employees and 14 lakh military personnel. It would also entail an additional annual burden of about ₹30,748 crore on the exchequer.
