Protesting war veterans return nine cartons of gallantry medals
December 9th, 2009 - 6:53 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) War veterans and ex-servicemen have returned nine cartons of gallantry medals to the defence ministry as a sign of protest against their demand of “one rank one pension” not being accepted, union Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Wednesday.
“Nine cardboard boxes full of medals have been received, in protest against non-acceptance of their demands of ‘One Rank One Pension’,” Antony told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
The main demand of the armed forces veterans, who returned their medals either won in combat or for distinguished service during peace time, is that irrespective of the date on which a soldier retires, he or she should get the same pension.
An army sepoy who retired before 1996 gets a monthly pension of Rs.3,670. But one who retired between 1996 and December 2005 gets Rs.4,680. A sepoy who retired after January 2006 gets Rs.8,700.
Effectively then, an army havildar, who retired earlier, gets pension money that is less than that of a sepoy retiring after January 2006 though the havildar enjoys a higher rank. The mismatch applies to all ranks.
“Although the ‘one rank one pension’ demand has not been accepted, keeping in view the spirit of the matter, the Committee constituted has recommended substantial improvement in pension of PBOR (personnel below officers rank) pensioners of pre January 1, 2006 and bring pre Oct 10, 1997 pensioners on par with post Oct 10, 1997 pensioners,” Antony added.
The government has rejected the ‘one rank one pension’ demand on grounds that it will entail huge financial costs.
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- armed forces
- cardboard boxes
- cartons
- defence minister
- defence ministry
- distinguished service
- gallantry medals
- higher rank
- january 1
- mismatch
- New Delhi
- peace time
- pension money
- rajya sabha
- rank one
- reply
- sepoy
- substantial improvement
- war veterans
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January 5th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
when a soldier wants pension should be equal irrespective of time of retirement, Government says its financial burden, where he almost sacrifice his complete youth and family life for the sake of nation,when external and internal problems arises that time everybody looks at soldiers to save them, when it comes to their welfare people start thinking about financial implications, due to that only, now a days no body willing joining defence lets God only save the nation
January 25th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
When a soldier dies, no one remembers, but every body seeks a soldiers help when they are in need.This is the fate of India. Why govt talks about financial burden when asked for a meager pension hike.How can a soldier or his family be happy without financial support.At this juncture the terrorism matters the most, and govt wants utmost vigilence from three services. How can it expect from them when it cannot lookafter their welfare and how can it expect the full committment from jawan.
Ex: When an MP or a VIP dies immediately there is an uproar in assemblies and compensation is given like house and financial support to their families. But a soldier dies for nations cause, they only send condolenses. The meager support given by defense is not enough to the deceased family. NO one thinks of his family.
Only god can save the lives of the poor soldiers not the govt.
May god bless the poor soldiers.