7 CPC & ARMED FORCES :: A TRUST DEFICIT

SOURCE::http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/a-trust-deficit/





Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. Express Photo

The public debate over the recommendations of the 

Seventh Pay Commission report has focused on its 

financial implications and likely impact on the 

government’s fiscal deficit target. Little attention has 

been paid to the issues raised by various Central 

government services affected by these 

recommendations. As per procedure, their concerns are 

considered by a committee of secretaries under the 

cabinet secretary, which sends the recommendations to 

the Union cabinet for approval. This method has worked 

well so far, as it doesn’t deal with the substantive 

questions or allege an inherent bias in the deliberations 

of the pay commission. Now, by writing a joint 

memorandum to the defence minister over the pay 

commission recommendations, however, the three 

military chiefs have taken the controversy to a different 

— and disquieting — level.

Not only is it extremely rare for the three chiefs to jointly 

sign a memorandum — the seniormost service chief 

usually signs tri-service letters as the chairman of the 

Chiefs of Staff Committee — but also the issues raised 

by them point to a complete lack of trust in the 

commission’s recommendations. The defence services 

believe that their joint presentations to the pay 

commission, unlike those made by civilian employees, 

have been dismissed without even being included in the 

report. A downgrade of the status of military officers vis-

a-vis their civilian counterparts, fixation of hardship 

allowances at lower rates, and denial of a real non-

functional upgrade have been identified by the service 

headquarters as issues that emanate from the allegedly 

anti-military bias of the pay commission.

The three chiefs have asked the defence minister to 

institute an expert committee, with members from the 

armed forces, to look into these grievances. These 

issues have also been flagged by the three chiefs 

informally to the defence minister, Manohar Parrikar, 

who has asked for a formal presentation this week. It 

will take more than a presentation, however, to bridge 

the widening trust gap between the uniformed 

personnel and the government. The unresolved issue of 

one rank one pension has already created tensions that 

are adversely affecting the military. The political 

leadership needs to actively reach out to the military, 

redress their genuine concerns and restore their trust in 

government. Simultaneously, the top military leadership 

needs to quell the tide of heightened emotions in the 

defence forces to reinforce the well-established balance 

of civil-military relations. India is situated in a tough 

neighbourhood and beset with several internal

security problems. It cannot afford to have a disaffected 

military, least of all over the issue of pay and allowances.