War veterans battle for pension

Hyderabad: After fighting for the nation in 1965 and 1971, many Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECO) are now fighting for pension from the Union government. A total of 15 non-pension officers, who were recruited in the Indian Armed Forces during the time of war, say they have been denied retirement benefits on the grounds that they […]

Hyderabad: After fighting for the nation in 1965 and 1971, many Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECO) are now fighting for pension from the Union government. A total of 15 non-pension officers, who were recruited in the Indian Armed Forces during the time of war, say they have been denied retirement benefits on the grounds that they lack the tenure for being eligible for a pension. They now want at least the State government to help them.

“I was the second-in-command of the II Battalion of the 11th Gorkha Rifles,” said Captain Dr L Pandu Ranga Reddy (Retd) — II Battalion, 11th Gorkha Rifles. “I suffered an injury during the war. Incidentally, they thought I was dead and a condolence meeting was also arranged at Warangal. But I survived. I was released after 5 years and 6 months of service.”

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Speaking about their demands at a press conference here on Saturday, he added, “There are about 15 non-pensioners in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. We have all fought in the 1965 and 1971 wars and earned the Samar Seva Star. Most of these veterans are now in their 70s and 80s, few are even in their 90s. We are battling with age-related issues, and need some monthly income to survive. I request Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, to first formulate a Yudha Yodha Bandhu Scheme, under which all the Samar Seva Star winners will get a one-time lump sum amount of Rs.50 lakh, and a monthly pension of Rs.60,000. We would also request the State government to allot house-sites to us,” he said.

Other war veterans, including Captain S Emmanuel, EME, Captain Edwin Henry, Regiment of the Artillery and Captain D Vijay Kumar, Regiment of the Artillery, were also present.

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