After an emotional letter on the pay panel recommendations by former Army Chief General NC Vij, another ex-Army Chief has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying that the Sixth Pay Commission has led to frustration and anger amongst officers, which threatens to erode the very “ethos and values” of the services. In a rare communication with the PM, former Army Chief General V P Malik, who led the Army during the Kargil war, has said that the operational efficiency, administration and morale of soldiers at the unit level has been adversely affected by the recent recommendations.Pointing out a dangerous trend, Malik wrote that “mid-level officers, and many amongst the lower ranks, are blaming not only the Sixth Pay Commission but also civil servants, political leadership and their own retired and serving senior officers for worsening the situation”.In a disturbing observation, the General has written that the pay panel has also led to erosion in the traditional camaraderie between officers and is threatening to create a communication gap between soldiers and officers. “As a result (of the pay panel), the veterans are taking to the streets; camaraderie is getting affected with some officers challenging service norms, traditions and authority and a most undesirable communication gap between seniors and juniors (is setting in).”Urging the PM to appoint a group of ministers with advisors from the services to review the pay panel recommendations, Malik has said that a view is setting in amongst the Armed Forces that the Government remains insensitive to their problems. They are also offended that the military leadership has no apparent say in the matter of pay scales.“One is not sure if the review committee and political leadership have realised the extent of damage done to the morale, dignity and self-respect of the soldiers in the Sixth Pay Commission report,” the General wrote.He also listed out a few suggestions for the Government’s perusal, including that the differential in pay between officers and men be reduced; that pay scales and allowances be revised to ensure existing parity with civil services; to link grade pay to length of service equivalent to that of civil services; and that pensions be enhanced by at least 25-30 per cent.
