Army, Navy, Air Force Employees Celebrate Diwali Without Bonus

OPINION PIECE

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time of joy and celebration across India — from bustling cities to remote villages. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and is marked by family gatherings, shopping, and festivities. For government employees, Diwali bonuses have traditionally been a much-awaited relief that brings festive cheer home.

However, this year, thousands of Defence Civilian Employees from the Army, Navy, and Air Force are celebrating Diwali without their due bonus, leading to widespread resentment and disappointment.

Bonus is considered a deferred wage, a rightful share of employees in their organization’s performance. Under the Bonus Act, even companies incurring losses are required to pay a minimum bonus of 8.33% to their employees. Most central government employees have already received their bonuses before Diwali — 30 days’ wages as adhoc bonus with a ceiling of ₹7,000 — but Defence Civilian Employees continue to wait.

Historically, government employees were not entitled to any bonus until the late 1970s. It was only after persistent demand that Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh took the landmark decision to extend the benefit to Central Government employees, recognizing their contribution to the nation’s functioning.

C. Srikumar, General Secretary of the All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF), has strongly criticized the Ministry of Defence for neglecting its civilian workforce.

“The Defence Ministry always neglects its civilian employees. While the Armed Forces get due attention and respect, civilian employees are treated like stepchildren,” said Srikumar.

“Even their constitutional right to form trade unions is denied. The Defence Secretary, who is also the Chairman of the Departmental Council (JCM), has not conducted a single meeting with employee representatives in the past decade,” he added.

Srikumar pointed out that after the corporatisation of Ordnance Factories, over 61,000 employees are suffering due to policy apathy.

“The employees of TCL were given just 18.5 days of bonus. Is anyone in the Ministry of Defence even concerned about this shameful situation?” he questioned.

“The Defence Department simply pushes files from one section to another. Even in this age of digital governance, the bonus file is yet to receive approval from the Finance Minister. Every year, it’s the same story — delay, neglect, and indifference.”

He expressed anguish over the fact that Defence Civilian Employees of the Navy, Air Force, AOC, and EME Directorates have not received their Diwali bonuses, calling it “unjust and discriminatory.”

“Struggle has become our way of life. The Defence Minister, as a people’s representative, must not allow such apathy and discrimination towards his own civilian employees — the fourth force of the nation’s defence,” Srikumar asserted.

He further criticized the Ministry for stopping compassionate appointments for dependents of deceased Defence Civilian Employees — a move that, according to him, has left many bereaved families in distress.

“It’s time for the Prime Minister’s Office and the Cabinet Secretary to intervene and set things right in the Defence Ministry,” he demanded.

Srikumar also referred to a recent DO letter from Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan, which reminded all Secretaries that interacting with trade union leaders is part of their duty.

“Unfortunately, even that directive has become just another piece of paper,” he lamented.

“Civil servants must remember they are appointed to serve the people, not isolate themselves behind iron curtains. They should listen, empathize, and resolve the genuine grievances of employees. Workers are not enemies — they are assets of the nation and deserve respect and humane treatment.”

As Diwali lights illuminate homes across India, the Defence Civilian Employees continue to wait in darkness — not for lamps or crackers, but for long-overdue recognition and fairness from the Ministry they serve with dedication.

Views expressed here are those of C. Srikumar, veteran Trade Union Leader and General Secretary of All India Defence Employees Confederation