Pay anomalies will be removed, Parrikar assures service chiefs

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday assured the armed forces that he will try to resolve the issues around the 7th Pay Commission, especially the "anomalies" the service chiefs had raised with him.

Parrikar on Wednesday held a meeting with the three service chiefs, an official statement said.

A statement from Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, who heads the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) said the three service chiefs have discussed in detail "anomalies" in the Seventh Pay Commission with Parrikar who has assured them to resolve the issues at the earliest.

"The 7th Pay Commission anomalies in respect of the armed forces were discussed with the Raksha Mantri in detail by the service chiefs and the members of the Armed Forces Pay Commission Cell. The Raksha Mantri is seized of all the issues and has assured to resolve them at the earliest. The Services are satisfied with the response," the statement said.

Payments under the 7th Pay Commission had been stopped earlier this month due to anomalies quoted by the forces. The forces are unhappy with the recommendations, and say it gives the forces lower status and pay parity compared to civilian government employees.