Hailing BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s approval on formation of a BJD Ex-Servicemen Cell’, some retired Defence personnel have requested Patnaik to formally announce the proposed cell on the Army Day on January 15. Retired lieutenant General Narayan Mohanty wrote to the Chief Minister to this effect on Tuesday.
He said that more than 1,000 retired Defence personnel would join the party, for which a meeting would be held at the BJD office here. Earlier, Gen Mohanty along with Brigadier BP Patnaik and Colonels l Parida and AC Behera had submitted a proposal to Naveen Patnaik for formation of the cell in the BJD. They informed the BJD chief that while more than 1.5 lakh ex-Servicemen are residing in the State, nearly 10 lakh people are dependent on them.
“These disciplined people can be brought to the BJD fold. This would be a disciplined and potent force to carry out all the welfare activities at the grassroots level,” they pointed out in the letter. Besides, the trained manpower would be a boon to the BJD cadre since they can be utilised in social forestry and disaster management on behalf of the party, they mentioned.
They also expressed hope that the cell would motivate more people to join Defence and paramilitary forces. This apart, it would also address the growing grievances of the ex-Servicemen in the State.