The ex-servicemen depending on the CSD (Canteen Services Department) stores are facing a tough time to get their needs here.

The retired Defence personnel are entitled to avail goods of daily needs  from the CSD besides liquors. In Chandipur, these facilities are available with the CSD of ITR (Integrated Test Range), PXE (Proof and Experimental Establishment) and Workshop.

Sources said that over 12,000 ex servicemen of Baleswar, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts and their dependents  who are entitled to draw the items from these canteens  are facing harassments.

“The CSD services are meant for the  combat serving   as well as retired Defence personnel and their dependents . They were only available to the defence personnel initially. Subsequently the facilities were extended to other personnel attached with the Defence   establishments . Here, in Baleswar, it is observed that civilians working in the ITR or PXE  or even bank staff are drawing the benefits   of CSD . Whereas retired personnel   who are coming from far off Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak are finding difficulties to avail the facilities. On most of the occasions, they find big queues in front of the stores or  items not in stock.

 Interestingly, the CSD stores here only allow  entry of ex-servicemen after three or four days of fresh stocks arrival by when they are exhausted . Besides, the canteens remain closed without prior information in the name of stock taking,” alleged an ex-serviceman.

“Here we have been  meted out with second class treatment where as the civilians  who are not entitled to enjoy all benefits are given priority. This is gross injustice  to the retired personnel and their families,” he added.

The Defence  in order to monitor  and restrict the items from CSDs  has allotted two smart cards for each retired personnel. One card for groceries  and other for liquors .  These cards have a capping of taking  as per ranks. One can while avail groceries and other daily needs from any CSDs  through the smart cards yet liquors can be only drawn from the parent units.  

“ For the  convenience of  ex- servicemen, one canteen was opened  near Station square and another near Central School, but the same were closed for reasons best known to the authorities . When retired personnel are coming to take items  from far off remote Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak hiring vehicles, they face tough time when items are exhausted or  canteen closed. Despite  several complaints  to the authorities, the issue is not resolved. We have given our prime time of life for defence but no one is there to redress our grievances,” Durga Prasad Bhuyan , another ex-serviceman and member of Air Force Association , Baleswar, said.