Dear Gen Ashok Sen Sir,

1. Thank you for your message seeking some clarification. There are three issues which you have to understand. This is as per my understanding on this issue of Equalisation of Pension in respect of Maj Gens / R Adms / AVMs.
2. Let us go by issue by issue.
   Issue No 1 : Pension Arrears of Pre – 2016 Maj Gens from Jan 2016
3. The Dept of Military Affairs of CDS vide their letter dated 12 Jun 2023 after obtaining the recommendation of Min of Fin (Expdr) issued the Equilisation letter. This letter states Pre – 2016 Maj Gens get lesser pay and pension from Jan 2016 due to the fact that 7th CPC did not give MSP to Maj Gens & Equivalents. The Brigadier got MSP of Rs 15,500 from Jan 2016. If you consider pay of these two ranks in any Level you find the difference in Matrix Pay is not more than Rs 6,000 favouring Maj Gen. For example take level 10 in Army Pay Rules 2017.
   (a) Matrix Pay of Maj Gen: Rs 1,88,200.
   (b) Matrix Pay of Brigadier: Rs 1,82,200 + Rs 15,500 =
   Rs 1,97,700.
   (c ). The loss of pay to serving Maj Gen from Jan 2016 is
   Rs 9,500 (197700 -– 188200).
   (d) Loss of Pension to Pre – 2016 Maj Gen from Jan 2016
   is Rs 0.50 x 9500 = Rs 4,750 pm.
4. Now the ibid letter dated 12 Jun 2023 has created a lot of confusion. There, the Min of Fin (Expdr) insisted for equalising pension of Maj Gen and Brigadier if both should belong to the same Arm or Service or Branch. But In OROP from Jul 2014 whether your belong to Infantry or ASC your pension is same for the rank of Maj Gen and total service of 33 years. No discrimination is done because someone got promoted earlier or later.
5. This confusion has delayed in my view issue of Circular or Corr PPO for each Maj Gen or Equivalent. I am sure the CGDA would have taken up this case with Min of Def. Such things happens when there is no conference between the Min of Fin , Min of Def and Service HQ and Ex-Service Officers of Maj Gens rank to sort out such confusion. How do you expect the CGDA to hunt for each Maj Gen and see to which Arm or Service or Branch he belongs to and also locate another Brigadier of the same Arm or Service or Branch. See the difference in pension and then equalise them using the two illustrations given in the letter of 12 Jun 2023. I urge all general offices to read the letter of 12 Jun and understand its contents.
6. Arrears of Pre – 2016 Maj Gens from Jan 2016 will get unduly delayed because the letter of 12 Jun 2023 stipulates about Maj Gens and Brigadiers to belong to the same Arm or service which is no more relevant in OROP where only rank and length of service matters.
7. I hope I have made myself understood with issue No 1.
8. Issue No 2. TSEWA prays for giving Notional MSP to general officers from Jan 2016 like it was done in 6th CPC from Jan 2006. Then the pension of Maj Gens from Jan 2016 will go up higher than that of the Brigadiers. Therefore, whatever is the difference in pension (Rs 4,750) between Brigadier and Maj Gen in issue No 1 will be remitted as first tranche of arrears in due course. Now when the pension of Pre – 2016 Maj Gens goes up due to Notional MSP, then the difference in pension between the Maj Gens and Brigadiers will be worked out and second tranche of arrears will be given in due course.
9. Issue No 3:. The Brigadiers / Cmdes / Air Cmdes who got promoted to the next rank of Maj Gen and equivalent in 7th CPC on or after Jan 2016 have been given benefit of MSP. Kindly see the Army Pay Rules para 12 how the pay is to be fixed of such newly promoted Brigadier or equivalent to next rank of Maj Gen on or after 01 Jan 2016.
   (a) Matrix Pay of Brigadier = Rs 1,71,700 (Level 10)
   (b) Add one Promotion Increment = Rs 1,76,900. (Level 11)
   © Add MSP of Rs 15,500
   (d) Total Matrix Pay of Brigadier = Rs 1,92,400.
   (e) Go to Maj Gens Matrix pay column at Grade pay of Rs 10,000 and see the figure higher than Rs 1,92,400. It is Rs 1,93,800.
   (f) The matrix pay of Maj Gen is now Rs 1,93,800. Such Post – 2016 Maj Gens got MSP subsumed in their matrix pay hence they are unlikely to suffer loss of pay or pension.
10. As per my understanding, the sufferers are Pre – Jan 2016 Maj Gens who did not get benefit of MSP of Rs 15,500 from Jan 2016. The arrears will be in two stages. First stage will be paid only once the confusion created by Min of Fin (Expdr) is cleared as in OROP, the Arm or Service or Branch does not affect the pension. Only criterion in OROP is rank and qualifying service. Most of the Maj Gens put in more than 33 years of service and whether one is from Infantry or ASC all Pre – 2016 Maj Gens or equivalents get the same pension.
11. Kindly go through this long message and if you agree with my understanding then do share it with your coursemates who are not members of TSEWA and widows of Maj Gens and their equivalents.

warm regards & respects,
Brig CS Vidyasagar (Retd), President TSEWA & Administrator the Defence Services Single Ladies of Officers WhatsApp Group
Mobile – 94931 91380