New Delhi, June 9

Honorary Commissioned Officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force have announced the formation of the National Council of Defence Honorary Commissioned Officers saying their demands are being ignored and status reduced with every pay commission. Honorary Commissioned Officers are defence personnel who get honorary rank just a few months before retirement. A few senior-most among the non-officer ranks get this honour. They have alleged anomalies in entitlements, pay, pension, canteen and health facilities. Now, they plan to take up anomalies in the 7th Pay Commission. The following have been elected officer-bearers of the new outfit: Capt Jagdish Verma from Himachal (chairman); Lieut Shiva Palan from Kerala (vice-chairman); Flg Offr BL Dhiman from Chandigarh (vice-chairman); Flt Lt Bakshi from Ambala (general secretary); and Capt SS Jaswal from Shimla (treasurer). — TNS