In the wake of a controversial recommendation to scrap free rations for military personnel serving in peace stations, the Union government on Wednesday clarified that while those in forward areas will continue to receive free rations, those in peace stations will be paid in cash in place of rations.
The clarification came a day after a serving army officer issued a legal notice against the move.
“The 7th Pay Commission in its recommendations to the Government on Pay and Allowances of the Armed Forces, had recommended that the provision of free rations and the grant of Ration Money Allowance to officers of Defence Forces posted in peace areas should be withdrawn,” the government had pointed out.
However, the Narendra Modi government took a different view, “given the important role of the Armed Forces". Thus it was decided that “Ration Money Allowance should be continued,” the government said on Wednesday.
“While those in forward stations, will continue to get their free ration without any change, officers posted in peace stations will be provided this benefit in cash. The cash would be credited directly into the bank account of the officers,” it added.
It pointed out that this move will benefit 43,000 officers, while there is no change in ration allowance for JCOs (Junior Commissioned Officer) and PBORs (Personnel Below Officer Rank) numbering more than 9 lakh.
Under the new scheme, officers would get Rs 96 per day in place of free rations.
The government also clarified that in the tribunal it will give the rationale behind the decision.
The clarification came in the wake of reports of widespread anger among military personnel over the move. A serving army colonel had served a legal notice to the defence secretary over the issue.
Colonel Mukul Dev, in his notice, said he joined the army after weighing in all the service terms, including free rations. “There was no mention of provision of cash in lieu of free rations in the notification,” his notice said.
“The decision of yours has violated the basic terms and conditions of my service upon which I was employed and commissioned and that too without obtaining any written consent from me,” his legal notice states.
