Ex-Servicemen under the banner of the All Odisha Veteran Soldiers’ Association (AOVS) on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal narrating their grievances and urging for his intervention to solve the problems.
The demands included establishment of a State Martyrs’ memorial and museum at the State capital, job for the wards and wives of the martyrs and land of five acres for the retired Defence personnel, 10-per cent reservation of ex-Servicemen in all the State Government vacancies five-per cent reservation of seats in education for the wards of retired Defence personnel, filling up of staff vacancies in all Sainik Boards, equal facilities for the officers and Jawans in the CSDs (canteen store departments) across the State, opening of the renovated Sanik Aramgruha at Cuttack and nondiscrimination of awarding security agency sponsored through the Director General of Settlements (DGR).
“Earlier, as per the policy, the ex-Servicemen were given five acres of land. The Odisha Government abolished the policy and, instead, announced to give Rs 50,000. Yet, neither land nor cash is given. Further now, the security agency sponsored by the DGR is only given in favour of the officers. This is utter discrimination to the persons below the rank of officers. Similarly, in some CSDs for officers, they have made separate counters. These things hurt the dignity of jawans, AOVS president Maheswar Behera said, adding that the response of the Governor was very positive.
Umesh Chandra Chaini, Sushant Mohanty, Jay Prakash Rath and Rudraprasad Rath were among the functionaries of AOVS present during submission of the memorandum.