NEW DELHI: Unhappy with the Pay commission recommendations for the Armed Forces, the three Service Chiefs met Defense Minister A K Antony and sought a 40 to 60 per cent increase over and above the hike suggested by the panel saying they deserved a better deal.

The Chiefs also strongly put forth the point that Defense personnel needed to be given higher salaries to make a career in the forces attractive in the backdrop of shortage of officers. Also, this was imperative to retain officers and men.

There are about 1.2 million personnel in the Armed Forces. Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Sureesh Mehta sought modifications in the Pay Commission proposals including military service pay (MSP) be fixed at 25 percent of the basic pay for soldiers, personnel below officer rank (PBOR) and middle rung officers.

Making a presentation to Antony and top brass of the Defense Ministry, the Admiral felt the pay panel had not done justice to soldiers and middle rung officers. The meeting which lasted more than 90 minutes was attended by Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, Air Chief Fali Homi Major and Defense Secretary Vijay Singh.

The Services, according to sources, were also up in arms against the Panel's recommendation of single pay band for soldiers, PBOR and for officers up to the rank of Brigadiers. In written submissions made to the Minister, the Services have asked the government to consider "three pay bands" each for soldiers and PBOR and for officers from rank of Lieutenant to Brigadiers.

Though there was no official comment on the submissions made, it is understood that the Service Chiefs suggested that the report be supplemented by a separate pay commission for the Armed Forces.

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