Dawson, who was in the Navy chief during February 1982 and November 1984, claimed that the committee, looking into the report, led by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar, could not understand the problems faced by soldiers deployed in difficult terrains and provide relief to them.
"What do they know about the condition of soldiers deployed in difficult terrains. They are not capable of settling the genuine demands of soldiers and exservicemen," he said.
No politician or IAS officers, who were taking the final call on the report, had served in the armed forces, Dawson, who also served as the Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand after retiring from service, alleged.
"Soliders are not just a bunch of unqualified people. They are skilled people handling sophisticated weapons and equipment. People sitting in the cool confines of their air conditioned offices will not understand the sufferings of soldiers," he added.
His comments came on the sidelines of a demonstration organised by Indian Ex-Servicemen League here to protest against the Pay Commission report which they claimed was "damaging the interest of defence services".
The protesters, including former soldiers, their families and widows, were demanding "one rank, one pension", inclusion of ex-servicemen welfare in the concurrent list and separate pay commission for the armed forces besides other commitments.
"The recommendations of Pay Commission have belied all hopes of both retired and serving personnel of the armed forces. Representation of three Chiefs to have separate pay commission was rejected," League president R K S Gulia alleged.
"Recommendation of Sixth pay commission are damaging to the interest of defence services. Not only the anomalies of fifth pay commission not been addressed, a large number of anomalies in the integrated pay scales, compensation value and other terminal benefits have been introduced," he added.
The organisation has already initiated a series of protests across the country to draw attention to the "just cause and demands" of the ex-servicemen with respect to the Pay Commission report.
