Thread by @PunamIndian

#AFDegradation
1/n
4 issues related to 3rd CPC get re-circulated on SocialMedia every few months..whether
*OROP existed before 3 CPC
*Fauji Pensions were reduced from 75 to 50%
*CPC was delayed till retirement of FM Manekshaw.
*Faujis were discriminated in Pay, Pensions & Allces

2/n This thread attempts to analyse these 4 issues with documentary evidence.
1st issue- regarding OROP before 3 CPC.
Prior to 3 CPC, AF had Rank based Fixed Pensions..same amt of pension was applicable for a particular Rank irrespective of date of retirement betwn Pay Commisns.

3/n
.. pensions remained constant..could b termed as degraded OROP..3 CPC continued with d same concept of having Rank based fixed/unvarying pensions for AF, with minor improvements.
See extracts from 3 CPC Report showing existing AF Offs Pensions & those recommended by 3 CPC👇..

4/n
2nd issue- whether AF Pensions were reduced from 75 to 50%.
Not true. If we translate AF Pensions existing prior to 3 CPC into rough Pay %, then till Sep 1970, Pensions for Majs worked out to be abt 40%, for Lt Cols abt 44% & for Brigs abt 38%..

5/n
With extension of Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) to AF in Sep 1970, Pensions were reduced by approx 5.5% & were now abt 35% for Majs, abt 39% for Lt Col & abt 32% for Brigs. 3 CPC carried forward the existing pension formula with minor improvements/modifications..

6/n
..Post 3 CPC, Pensions for Majs as % of Pay became approx 35%, for Lt Cols approx 36% & for Brigs approx 41%.
Thus 3 CPC did not reduce AF pensions..existing pensions were already below 50%.
See relevant extracts from 3 CPC Report giving revised Pay & Pensions for AF👇

7/n
3rd issue- whether 3 CPC was deliberately delayed till retirement of FM Manekshaw. Does not appear to be true. Gen Manekshaw was to retire in Jun 1972, but his Service was extended by Govt by 6 months..was promoted to FM on 03 Jan 1973 & he finally retired on 15 Jan 1973..

8/n
On the other hand, till as late as Jun-Jul 1972, AF Pay Cells were busy submitting their details/ justifications to 3 CPC. See extract from 3 CPC👇.3 CPC Report got finalised only by Mar 1973 & decisions were notified by Govt on 01 May 1974..much later after FM’s retirement..

9/n
4th issue- whether AF were historically discriminated/awarded comparatively lower Pay/Pensions/Allces. Appears to be true.
AF pers were given 20% lower pay than civ counterparts by 3CPC..20% amt was deducted while fixing basic pay on acct of various ‘facilities’ given to AF👇

10/n
..This resulted in Soldiers not only drawing abt 20% less Pay during their service but also lower pensions. As regards Allces, all allces were not extended to AF, & whatever civ allces were extended, they were paid at 50-80% civ rates, due to addl ‘facilities’ provided to AF

11/n
..As regards Pensions, till 1950 civ employees were given approx 50% pensions, based on a formula. On intro of DCRG in 1950, civ Pensions were reduced to abt 38-39% , but remained approx 50% in conjunction with DCRG..3 CPC increased reckonable service from 30 to 33 yrs..

12/n
..which effectively improved Civ pensions by abt 3%. Thus civ pensions, which were based on last 3 yrs emoluments, were much higher than Fauji pensions, having served till 58 yrs. AF pers had been given much lower & static/unvarying pensions..thus discriminated historically