Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 26: Brig (retd) Anil Gupta, State convener, BJP Ex-servicemen Cell called on Union Minister of State (MoS) Foreign Affairs and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen VK Singh at Nagrota today. He congratulated the General on being included in the Union Council of Ministers. Brig Gupta said that with six veterans being elected to the Lok Sabha, the ex-servicemen community is over joyed and hopeful that their long pending problems would now be resolved.
Gen Singh had reached here yesterday to have the darshan at holy cave of Mata Vaishno Devi. He stayed at Bhawan for night and left for Union Capital today.
Though, it was a courtesy call, Gen. VK Singh evinced keen interest in the wellbeing of the veteran fraternity and enquired about their welfare. He said that the welfare of veterans was always paramount in his mind and though he is looking after a different Ministry he keeps a close watch on matters relating to them.
Brig Gupta apprised the Minister about the activities undertaken by the Ex-servicemen Cell to unify the veterans and inform them of various measures undertaken/planned by the NDA Government for their welfare. He also discussed with him number of issues related to the veterans. Gen VK said that the present Government is committed to the implementation of one rank one pension and it would be implemented soon to the entire satisfaction of the veteran community.
The other issues discussed with the General were; inclusion of a clause in the GST about partial/full exemption of goods through CSD, increase of widow pension from 30% to 50%, special recruitment drive in Army and Central Armed Police Forces for border area residents and ex-servicemen, improvement in ECHS facilities, promotion of Balidan Stambh as a tourist spot, grant of Non-Functional Upgrade (NFU) to service officers and other ranks retirement to be age based rather than the present system of length of service. Gen VK Singh assured that he would convey these issues to the concerned ministries and also follow them up.
Brig. Gupta also called on Lt. Gen KH Singh, GOC 16 Corps and discussed a few local issues related to ex-servicemen. The GOC was requested to increase the time allowed for farming ahead of the Ditch-cum-Bund (DCB) due to the ongoing wheat harvesting season. Gen KH Singh assured to ask his field commanders to favourably consider the request.
He was also apprised of non-payment of compensation for land occupied by Army to a few families. He expressed his surprise since as per him the compensation has been paid to all. He asked for giving him the specific names of affected people. Gen Singh also assured to try his best in organising special recruitment rallies closer to border belt.
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