Allowance up for Siachen posting

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 28

The government has approved higher allowances for military personnel stationed at Siachen glacier and other such places in the Himalayas.

The new allowances were announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley following a meeting of the Union Cabinet today.

The 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) had placed Siachen allowance in two slabs of Rs 21,000 and Rs 31,500, for Jawans/JCOs and officers, respectively. The government has decided to enhance the rates. Jawans and JCOs will get Rs 30,000 per month, while the officers will get Rs 42,500 per month.

The government had set up a committee on allowances in view of substantial changes in the existing provisions and a number of representations were received. The modifications are based on suggestions made by the committee in its report submitted to the Finance Minister in April this year.

The pay panel has recommended abolition of ration money allowance and free rations to defence officers posted in peace areas. It has been decided that the allowance will continue to be paid directly to officers.

The government has also allowed continuance of “technical allowance” paid to defence officers belonging to technical branches.

The rate of high-altitude allowance granted to defence forces and central paramilitary personnel will go up from Rs 810-Rs 16,800 per month to Rs 2,700-Rs 25,000 per month. This is graded as per altitude of the place of posting.