Higher allowances, relaxation in leave journey for troops

New Delhi, Aug 2 (UNI) Army officers posted in high altitude areas and on other diffficult assignments will now get an additional monthly allowance of Rs 5,600, and personnel below them doing similar duty will get an extra Rs 3,734, besides better working conditions and leave facilities.

The decision on higher allowances, entailing an annual outgo of Rs 100 crore, was today taken at a Cabinet meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Personnel posted on difficult assignments, which include fighting insurgency and terrorism, will now be eligible for one additional free railway warrant to visit home town twice a year.

All service personnel can also undertake leave journey to their choice station without any restriction on distance, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

''This will not only help in alleviating stress but also keep the morale of the defence personnel posted in these areas high.'' Mr Dasmunsi said Finance Minister P Chidambaram had agreed to provide Rs 100 crore to meet the commitment.

Another proposal to extend similar facilities to paramilitary forces was referred to a group of ministers (GoM) which has been asked by the Prime Minister to submit its Report soon.

The GoM will also go into the proposal of enhancing the retirement age of RoCs.

The Home Ministry will be involved in the GoM, Mr Dasmunsi said.

UNI