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Punjab and Haryana HC directs Centre to Resolve Issue of Pay Anomaly as it Affects Morale of Defence Forces

Mitali Palnitkar

Published On: February 21, 2022 at 15:33 IST

The Centre was asked by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to take appropriate measures in removing pay anomaly noting that it is adversely affecting and impacting the morale of the Defence Forces.

Justice Fateh Deep Singh was hearing a Petition filed by Major General DN Asija with respect to retiral and pension benefit complaining of pay anomaly stating that the people of ranks of Major General and above were getting lower pension benefits when compared to that of their juniors.

After the implementation of the 6th Central Pay Commission, the Defence personnel from the rank of Major General and above were receiving lesser pay than their juniors.

The Counsel for Respondents submitted that Ministry of Defence took the stand that it would consult the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Personnel and Training to resolve the pay anomaly. He stated that the anomaly would be resolved within two months.

The Court directed the Respondents to take appropriate steps to remove the pay anomaly and emphasized that if was adversely affecting the morale of Defence forces.

The Court directed to resolve the issue within a period of six months.

The basis of anomaly is the addition the Military Service Pay (MSP) till the rank of Brigadier, beyond this rank the MSP is subsumed and added on promotion to rank of Major General but is not added as a separate element. Therefore, the junior ranks are getting paid more than the senior ranks.