ECPFWA demands separate AFS, Pension Rules for paramilitary forces

ECPFWA members posing together after a meeting at Nowshera in Rajouri district.
ECPFWA members posing together after a meeting at Nowshera in Rajouri district.

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Apr 17: Ex-Central Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association (ECPFWA) has demanded separate Armed Forces Service (AFS) and Pension Rules for paramilitary forces instead of CCS Rules.
In a meeting at Nowshera and Sunderbani Sector today, Shashi Kumar Sharma, Association president also demanded that paramilitary forces being armed forces, should be exempted from New Pension Scheme (NPS). He also reiterated the demand for separate Armed Forces Service and Pension Rules for paramilitary forces and urged upon the Union Home Ministry to consider their demands which also included ‘One-Rank One Pension’ and CSD canteen facilities instead of Central Police Canteen at State/District level.
“The paramilitary forces do the fighting, face the enemy and sacrifice with the same vigour, valour and patriotism and suffer consequences like Defence forces. But the benefits and concessions extended to armed forces under the Ministry of Defence are not being extended to Armed forces under MHA which is against the law and the ethics of natural justice,” Shashi said.
Sharma said the service condition of paramilitary forces is regulated by a strong set of Acts with the provision to award punishments up to court marital similar to Defence forces but unfortunately their pay perks and post retirement benefits including pension are governed by Central Civil Service (Pension) Rules 1972, under which they are being provided the benefits only equal to Central Government civilian employees.
He added that the serving and former members, widows and dependents of the paramilitary forces are being downgraded in front of their fellow citizens and family members while they are exposed to similar risk pattern as Defence forces. He demanded extension of all post retirement benefits on declaration of Ex-CAPF status similar to Defence forces Ex-serviceman/widows and dependents and paramilitary service pay to serving CPMF personnel similar to MSP (Pensionable).
Meanwhile, Mohan Lal Chabber was appointed as new president of the Association for Nowshera and Sunderbani sector. Harbans Lal (vice president J&K) and general secretary Darshan Kumar were among others present in the meeting.