Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Apr 9: The 2-day Defence Pension Adalat (DPA) was inaugurated here today by Lt Gen DS Hooda, GOC-in-C Northern Command, for redressal of grievances of Defence pensioners, including Defence civilians residing in the State.
While speaking on the occasion, Hooda said said that the event will provide a composite platform to the Ex-servicemen (ESM) and Veer Naris residing in J&K to redress their wide ranging issues related to pension and other benefits. He exhorted the ESM and Veer Naris to optimally utilize the facilities for redressal of all outstanding issues.
Those present on the occasion were N Neihsial, IDAS, PCDA (NC), Jammu, Dr GD Pungle, IDAS, PCDA (Pensions), Ajai Mishra, IDAS, Jt CGDA, New Delhi, Maj Gen (Retd) GS Jamwal, president J&K Ex servicemen League Jammu, Brig (Retd) R S Langeh, Director Sainik Welfare and many others civil, military and police officials.
Official from the three Services HQrs, Defence Account Department, Public Sector Banks and other civil executive authority were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, GD Pungle outlined the various initiatives taken by DPA in the sanction and disbursement of Defence pension. He also mentioned about opening of a Pension Call Centre at Allahabad with a Toll Free number 1800-180-5321, which pensioners can now use for seeking clarification and information about their pensions.
The adalat received overwhelming response for spot settlement of pension related grievances from the Ex-servicemen. In all, 225 cases were received at the start of the Adalat. Most of the case are likely to be settled during the course of Adalat while some more cases are expected to come up during two-day pension adalat.
Stalls of various Record offices, PCDA, Army placement Node (APN) Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Services (ECHS), Army Welfare Education Society (AWES), Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Agriculture, Banks and Resettlement were established.
Medical and Dental camps were also held for those who attended the event. The Army Commander felicitated few of the Ex-servicemen for their dedication to duty.