Army to pay Rs 1,600 crore in arrears to officers

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Government to re-fix the pay scale of of army officers affected by the Fourth Pay Commission which would now entail a payout of Rs 1,600 crore to the exchequer.

The order will benefit a large number of officers who were in the rank of Captain to Brigadier in the army and equivalent ranks in the Air Force and Navy, between January 1, 1986 and January 1,2006, according to counsel Aishwaraya Bhatti, representing the officers.

The apex court also directed the Centre to pay interest at the rate of 6 per cent from January 1, 2006, to all the officers, whether or not they have filed any petition before any of the High Courts or Benches of Armed Forces Tribunal, within 12 weeks from Tuesday.