The Department of Military Affairs (DMA), headed by the chief of defense staff, has proposed increasing the retirement age of officers from one to three years, with an extension of service of up to 17 years for non-official branch cadres select. It is also considering a plan to cut the pensions of officers who opt for premature release from service in an attempt to retain skilled labor, according to an official communication reviewed by the Hindustan Times.
Raising the officers’ retirement age will allow colonels, brigade members, and senior generals to serve longer, and commanders and junior officers in some non-combat branches will also get an extension of service that will retire them at age age 57 instead of around 40 to 52..
The proposed cuts in pensions range from 25% to 50% of the entitled pension, depending on the length of service of an officer at the time of leaving work.
While the proposed extension of service has been hailed in military circles as a welcome step, the plan to review pensions has drawn criticism from many in the service and retiree community.
The letter, dated October 29, proposed that colonels would serve until age 57 (instead of the current 54), brigadistas until 58 (instead of 56), and major generals until 59 versus 58. current. There has been no change. proposed in the retirement age of lieutenants general, remains at 60.
This applies to equivalent ranks in the air force and navy, but does not cover officers in the medical and nursing wings.
Junior officers and other ranks in the logistics, technical and medical branches will retire at the age of 57 instead of between 40 and 52 (depending on rank).
The proposed pension review is the most significant move under consideration, officials familiar with the developments said. Officers seeking premature release after 20-25 years of service will receive only 50% of the entitlement pension, those leaving after 26-30 years will receive 60%, and officers resigning after 31-35 years of service will receive 75% of the pension with pension rights, according to the letter. Only those with more than 35 years of service will get the full pension.
The letter indicates that there are several specialists / super specialists who are trained for highly skilled jobs in services, but have resigned to work in other sectors. “Such a loss of highly skilled workforce results in a gap in the service skills matrix and is counterproductive for the military. Given this, it has been decided to review the pension rights, “adds the letter.
The communication set November 10 as the deadline to prepare a draft government sanction letter on raising the retirement age and reviewing pensions for review by General Bipin Rawat of CDS.
The extension of the service is a good step, both for the organization in terms of retaining qualified and trained manpower and also in congruence with individual aspirations, said military affairs expert Lt. Gen. Vinod Bhatia (retd).
“The pension plans could be an incentive for the deadwood to continue, which is not good for the organization or optimizes financial resources. The key issue is that due to Covid-19 and China’s aggressive behavior along the Royal Line of Control, the military will have to do more and more with less and less. There is no choice but to ensure optimal use of financial resources, ”said Bhatia.
The DMA’s proposals will benefit the organization and meet individual aspirations, said military officials who asked not to be identified.
“Almost all the colonels and most of the brigade members look for a new job when they retire. Once re-employment is granted, highly qualified officials and experts in particular domains are employed on appointments made by captains and elders. This negatively affects both the organization and the officer himself, whose job satisfaction is affected, ”the officials said, commenting on the proposed extension of service for officers in these ranks.
On the proposal on the extension of service for the unofficial cadre of non-combat weapons, officials said the army invests time and resources in training technicians to be able to perform specialized tasks, but they retire when their professional skill is at its peak.
On the pension cut, the officials said: “Only officials who retire prematurely will be affected. People who complete their retirement age under the terms of the contract are not affected. ”
They explained: “If someone becomes an officer at the age of 25 or even older (Jawans can become officers even in their 20s if they pass certain exams and an interview), it does not mean they have to complete 35 years of service. for full board. The cuts will only be applicable to officers seeking early release. ”
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