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DNA Exclusive: Modi govt's decision to cancel free rations irks Armed Forces

Made To Swallow Rs 96/Day By Govt

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The Centre's decision to cancel free ration for officers of the armed forces serving in peace stations, and replacing it with an allowance that was never agreed to by the Services, DNA has learnt.

The most contentious issue was the amount of allowance to be paid. It was communicated to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that either the practice of ration-in-kind should continue for officers on peace posting, or an allowance of Rs 205.11 per officer per day be paid with tax exemptions.

Sources said a pilot project was what the Ministry of Defence had agreed upon after serious concerns were raised on the implications of doing away with ration-in-kind for peace stations and replacing it with an allowance of just Rs 96 per day — which was considered a gross mismatch with needs.

On the recommendation of the 7th Central Pay Commission, the Union government put an end to the practice of giving ration-in-kind to officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force at peace stations, starting July 1, 2017. Sources said that after a cost analysis was done, it was communicated that in case of free ration, the cost per officer comes to Rs 100.40 for one day, and replacing it with ration-in-kind will incur a cost Rs 205 per day.

"At every stage of deliberation, concerns were raised on why the decision to do away with ration-in-kind for officers in peace areas should be implemented. It was insisted before MoD and the Pay Commission that free ration must continue," said a source privy to the details of discussions on the subject.

The overall cost of procuring ration for the Army is Rs 4,200 crore per annum, and ration-in-kind for 27,000 officers in peace postings comes to Rs 97 crore — accounting for only 2 per cent of the ration budget. "Keeping in mind the cost effect, it was felt there was no requirement for denying the facility of free ration," the source added.

Ration for peace postings started in 1983 and included only junior officers. But by 1997, it was extended to all ranks. While there was always a provision for taking allowance, but less than 1 per cent officers opted for it. One argument for retaining free ration-in-kind even for peace areas was that during exercises and training, officers in peace stations moved along with troops in areas where local markets are not easily accessible.

Since many peace stations are located in insurgency-prone areas, the frequent movement of officers' vehicles could also be a security hazard — was another argument against the decision. It was also felt that doing away with the practice could tinker the ethos and culture of the armed forces, be viewed as a discriminatory move, sources said.

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