Contrary to the expetations that Manmohan Singh is likely to make grand announcement from the ramparts of New Delhi’s Red Fort on Independence Day 15 August on resolving the pay related issues including the on rank one pension for the defense personal, nothing specific was made.
Altogether the PMs speech failed to create any hope. Rather it was like an admittance of failure. He mentioned that low growth and inflation posed a major challenge to the country. He also reflected the difficulties in curbing the inflation owing to the bad monsoon.
The only statement he made on the issue at the speech was "Our Government has set up a committee to examine issues relating to pay and pension of armed forces personnel. This committee will also look into matters concerning pension of retired men and officers and family pension being paid to their families. We will take prompt action on the recommendations of the committee, once they are received."
The Prime Minister constituted a Committee, under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary, to look into the anomalies in pay and pension-related issues of defence personnel and ex-servicemen recently.
This is not all. The Committee was directed to finalise its recommendations and submit the report to the Prime Minister by 8 Augustm rising speculation that the announcement will be made at the I-Day speech. This followed a strong recommendation by a Rajya Sabha Committee advocating adoption of the ‘one-rank-one-pension’ principle to retired defence personnel last year.
