*Raise Sainik Colony at Srinagar: Lt Gen Sharma
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 22: The Jammu & Kashmir Ex-Services League (JKESL) in its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) held at Trikuta Yatri Niwas, Ambphalla Jammu under the chairmanship of its president Lt Gen (Retd) Rakesh Kumar Sharma, sent a strong message to the Government.
The AGM was attended by District and Tehsil presidents from both Jammu & Kashmir regions. Col (Retd) Rajinder Singh, general secretary, Lt Col ( Retd) OS Chauhan, secretary, Col (Retd) KS Jamwal, Col (Retd) Virendra Sahi, Col ( Retd) Qureshi, Lt Col (Retd) CL Bangotra, Maj ( Retd) Bodh Raj and many other officers attended the meeting.
The JKESL is the biggest, oldest and Govt recognised body since 1951 which is engaged in the welfare of the Veterans, Veer Naris and serving soldiers of J&K. Brig Ghansara Singh, RB, OBE, OBI was the founder of this organisation in 1951. It has more than 22,000 members as on date.
The members highlighted their major demands including completion of the Housing Colonies for ESM at Jammu and Samba, a new Sainik Colony in Srinagar, 15 % reservation for Re-employment for ESM, revision of cash awards and annuity to the Award winners at par with neighbouring states, 100% pension to widows of handicapped and war wounded, revival of Sainik Co-operative Vanaspati of Ex-servicemen and expeditious renewal/issue of Arms licences for Ex-servicemen.
JKESL president apprised the Veteran members that JKESL delegation met the LG on Jan 7, 2023 at Raj Bhawan and submitted him a memorandum of demands related to the welfare of Ex-Servicemen, Veer Naris and serving soldiers. So far only two demands have been implemented. JKESL urged LG to implement the remaining demands on priority.
They demanded measures like establishment of Ex-Servicemen Corporation Ltd (JKESCO), commencement of free ambulance service by JKESL in Jammu , maintaining data bank of volunteer blood donors in each District / Tehsil, visiting martyr families to make them aware of their entitlements, attending cremations of Ex-Servicemen by the JKESL members, expansion of JKESL membership in the Kashmir valley, Govt land for construction of JKESL office Complex, hiring of best of the Advocates to resolve land issues of the Sainik Colonies etc.
It was pointed out that with regard to Arms Licences of ESM, no action has been taken on orders of LG Adm for renewal of licences by DCs. Instead DC Jammu has asked arms to be deposited. This order should be cancelled.
The JKESL demanded extension of privileges to ESM of J&K which exist in other States. These include provision of allotment of plots ‘Free of Cost’ to the Gallantry Award winners like Rajasthan, exemption of Property Tax to ESM like Gujarat, exemption of Stamp Duty on properties up to 20 lakhs to ESM like Uttar Pradesh, awarding of Degree of Graduation (Defence & Strategic Studies) to ESM and enhancement of cash grants to Gallantry Awards/Distinguished Services Medals.
Lt Gen RK Sharma, urged the veterans community to come together under one umbrella irrespective of the differences if any and strengthen the hands of JKESL to take up issues with the present day Govt in a more progressive manner. A strong message from veteran community to the Govt to end discriminatory policies against the Ex-Servicemen and implement welfare schemes akin to other States of India for the Ex-Servicemen.
Veteran soldiers demanded that their community should also be given adequate representation like 1-2% quota in Sarpanches, BDC & DDC elections. Also minimum one MLA each from Jammu & Kashmir Region.
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