Disability Pension to Lower Ranks/Sepoy – Lok Sabha QA

Disability Pension to Lower Ranks/Sepoy – Lok Sabha QA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1649
ANSWERED ON: 11.02.2022

Disability Pension to Lower Ranks/Sepoy

S. Ramalingam
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether disability pension being is granted to the lower ranks/sepoy in the military and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether some discrimination has been reported in sanctioning disability pension to some lower ranks/sepoy in the military;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Ministry has received any grievance/request from lower ranks/sepoy in this regard; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Ministry thereon?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI AJAY BHATT)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a) Yes, Sir. As per extant orders, Armed Forces Personnel including Sepoy who is invalided out from service on account of a disability which is attributable to or aggravated by Military service is being granted disability pension consisting of service element and disability element. The rate of disability element for 100% disability shall be 30% of emoluments last drawn by the individual. For lower percentage of disability, the disability element reduces proportionately.

(b) & (c): No, Sir.

(d) & (e): Saabka Sainik Sangarsh Committee submitted various representations regarding calculation of disability element on slab based system as had been recommended by 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC).

The 7th CPC recommended a return to the slab based system. The 7th CPC, however, in respect of Civilian Employees of Central Government had not made any recommendation. Civilian Employees of Central Government were getting disability pension under 6th CPC on percentage based system as such they will continue to get disability element on percentage based system. It created an anomalous situation. Therefore, the Service Headquarters requested to maintain Status quo i.e. to be continued the calculation method of disability element on percentage basis as per 6th CPC regime. The concerns of Services were examined in this Department and the matter was referred to Anomaly Committee on Pension through Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance conveyed the approval of the Cabinet regarding recommendation of Anomaly Committee in the matter that parity with Civilian for grant of Disability Element which was granted to Defence Forces under 6th CPC regime, shall be maintained. Accordingly, orders were issued on 04.09.2017 for continuing Disability Element on percentage basis.

Saabka Sainik Sangarsh Committee was replied on the lines of existing position.

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Source: Lok Sabha