Sixth Pay Commission Report : Army wants three-fold hike in MSP

Receiving the feedback from the high power committee of CoS on the Sixth Pay Commission Report, the Army has observed that there should be a three-fold hike in the Military Service Pay (MSP) allowance for soldiers, from what has been proposed by the Sixth Pay Commission.

The Sixth Pay Commission has recommended that soldiers should receive an MSP allowance of  Rs 1,000.It had also recommended that officers upto the rank of  Brigadier get an MSP of  Rs 6,000 per month.

‘The Army has observed  that soldiers be paid an MSP of Rs 3,000.The proposed MSP for officers is okay at Rs 6,000,’army sources said.

In addition the army has also observed that all military personnel should be  entitled to the MSP.This observations mean that officers even above the rank of  Brigadier should be entitled to the MSP allowance.

The MSP was intended by the Commission to maintain the ‘edge’ in defense personnel salaries over the civilian salaries.

On Thursday, a crucial meeting will take place between the chiefs of the three services and Defense Minister A.K.Antony on the draft recommendations of the Committee of  Secretaries (CoS) which was set up to review the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.

The meeting is also likely to be attended by the Cabinet Secretary and the Defense Secretary who are also members of the CoS.