Air Despatch Pay, Air Steward Allowance, Shorthand Allowance
Air Despatch Pay is granted to PBORs of Defence services who are employed for air dropping of supplies in forward areas. The current rate is ₹360 pm. Air Steward Allowance is granted to Group “Y” tradesmen of the Indian Air Force who are employed on board VVIP flights for steward duties.
The existing rate is ₹900 pm. Shorthand Allowance is payable to PBORs of Indian Air Force and Indian Navy employed on shorthand duties. The present rate is ₹360 pm.
There are demands to abolish these allowances and grant alternative compensation to the affected employees.
Analysis and Recommendations
These allowances are paid to very few personnel of the Defence forces. The Commission is of the view that these kinds of duties are intrinsic to the related job profile and additional allowance is not justified. Accordingly, it is recommended that these three allowances should be abolished.