Military Dept Letter Seeking Pension Cut Creates Uproar In Social Media

New Delhi: A letter from the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), proposing a severe cut in pension for officers taking premature retirement and increase in retirement age, has created an uproar in military circles.

The letter, shared widely on Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp, is signed by Deputy Defence Advisor to Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat. Army Headquarters has confirmed authenticity of the letter to The Indian Express.

Dated October 29, the letter states that “a draft Government Sanction Letter (GSL) be processed for the two proposals of pension cuts and increase in retirement age for the perusal of General Rawat by November 10,” the paper reported.

As per the proposal, pension for officers seeking premature retirement will be cut between 50 to 75 per cent, while only those officers who complete their service till age of retirement (who serve above 35 years of service) will receive full pension. It also mentions that there will be no change in entitlement of pension of battle casualties.

The increase in retirement age (excluding Army Medical Corps and Military Nursing Service) proposes a Colonel to retire at 57 years of age as against 54 at present, Brigadier at 58 as against 56 at present, and Major General at 59 as against 58 at present.

The increase in retirement age will end the re-employment of Colonels and Brigadiers post retirement.

“General Rawat had made it very clear that the increase in retirement age would come through by 2021 as it was the need of the hour. Both the measures would lead to substantial financial savings as the increase in retirement age will also lead to lesser intake of officers at cadet level,” an official was quoted as saying.