"SHOT IN THE ARM LIKELY FOR EX-SOLDIERS"

Dec 15, 2011Express Buzz (Chennai) - [ Front Page ]
NEW DELHI : In a move that can bring joy to nearly 2.5 million retied soldiers, the Parliament Committee on Petitions is likely to favour their demand for 'One Rank, One Pension'.

The report, likely to be tabled in the Parliament next week, will be a vindication of the stand taken by the soldiers who have been running from pillar to post fighting for their rights.

Thousands of ex-servicemen and war veterans returned their gallantry medals protesting the decision of the Ministry of Defence not to grant 'One Rank, One Pension'. Soldiers have been demanding equal pension for personnel retiring from the same rank irrespective of their date of retirement. Persons reitiring before the pay commission cut-off date get less pension than those retiring after the date.

According to sources, the long pending demand has found support as the Committee on Petitions has been considering the petition submitted by Rajya Sabha M.P., Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar and 24 others in October 2010.

" The committee conducted a detailed hearing on the matter by inviting citizen groups, ex-servicemen and government representatives to depose and express their views on the issue. The committee completeed their hearing and the report will be presented during the winter session of Parliament ", sources added.


The petitioners in their argument had said that the demand of ex-servicemen may be considered on the lines of the pension for MPs, which is Rs. 20,000 for all first time members.