In what seems to be the consequence of an unfavourable pay commission report, more than 100 mid-level officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force officers have sought retirement from the forces in the last two weeks.
As many as 107 Army, Navy and Air Force officers have put in their papers seeking premature exit after the sixth pay commission submitted its report on March 24, says an officer.

Officers in the rank of brigadier, major general and colonels now realise that their salary will now only be 15-20 per cent more than their existing salary. The commission’s report has ruined their hopes. 

Displeasure

Due to the displeasures exhibited by many officers and soldiers, the chiefs – Gen Deepak Kapoor, Admiral Sureesh Mehta and Air Marshal Fali Homi Major – have taken up the issue with Defence Minister A K Antony.
Following their two rounds of discussions with Mr Antony, the three chiefs last week briefed the pay commission members on the “paltry” salary it had recommended for the services.

A detailed note specifying the discrepancies and proposed corrective measures is being prepared by the defence ministry for the Union Finance Ministry’s consideration.

“There could be more exits in the offing as officers in the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel and higher are not happy with the 15 per cent hike,” a senior officer said.

In normal circumstances, the Army processes about two to four premature retirement requests a week. Generally about 60 per cent requests are granted. But in the past two to three weeks, the figure has jumped to almost 10-15 officers, he said.

The Army is facing a shortage of more than 11,300 officers, while the deficiencies in Navy and the Air Force vary between 1,500 and 2,000.