New Delhi: The paramilitary forces, which are already seeking allowances on par with Army, are gearing up to fight another recommendation of the Sixth Pay Commission which favoured "lateral entry" of Army personnel into their ranks.
The forces feared that this would harm the interests of their personnel.
With Ministry of Home Affairs and the Defence Ministry slugging out to work out the basics of "lateral entry", the paramilitary forces contend that the move would result in "cleavage within the forces" and they feel "discriminated" by the "omnipresence and wherewithal" dominance of the Army.
The Sixth Pay Commission had endorsed the practice of transferring Army personnel with usually 15 years of experience to various paramilitary forces in different ranks.
But the paramilitary forces have now petitioned the Home Ministry that this move would have a bearing on the professional capabilities of the forces since there was difference in "training" in both the security apparatus.
"The furtherance of lateral entry would not only result in countermanding the operational effectiveness of the force, but also administrative problems. This is because both the Army and the paramilitary forces have emerged from different ethos and culture," a senior paramilitary officer said.
"There can be no assimilation between the forces. An Army man would have already rendered 15 years of service by the time he joins any paramilitary force," the officer added. His view is seconded by other paramilitary officers.
