Following the State Government’s decision to double the monthly pension of World War II veterans or their widow and three centimeter relaxation for youths of Uttarakhand in army recruitment, ex servicemen felicitated Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat at his official residence on Sunday. The felicitation ceremony was organised under the leadership of Mussoorie MlA Ganesh Joshi. They said that due to their consistent effort Defence Ministry has agreed to give three centimeter relaxation in height requirement for recruits belonging to Uttarakhand.
In his address on the occasion, the Chief Minister Rawat said that Uttarakhand is known as Devbhoomi and also known as Veerbhoomi. “Our valiant soldiers spend their life protecting the nation’s borders so it is the responsibility of the State Government to take care of their families,” he said. Paying tribute to recent martyrs Kamlesh Pandey and Narendra Singh Bisht, the CM said that he had personally met their families and now it is his moral responsibility to take care of their family. He reiterated that State Government gives monetary support to the bereaved family but one will have to think about their overall development. Now he has been concentrating on how the state can help them. He also asked ex-servicemen to give their suggestions on how the the families of the martyrs can be assisted further and what measurements can the state can take for their benefit. Meanwhile whatever suggestions, state has received so far, are being scrutinised by the officials.
Without naming anyone especially those who criticise the CM avoided making any populist announcements like his predecessors were doing. Rawat said that it is very easy to make announcements but accountable person makes announcements which can be implemented. For this he first considers how state can mobilise resources then he would prefer to make announcements. He assured that State Government is serious about the welfare of the ex-servicemen but he would not make any false promises to them.
Mussoorie MlA Ganesh Joshi said that state’s ex-servicemen are obliged with the State Government decision. He said that he can run upto the Delhi but it would not have been possible if CM had not spoken over phone to them so relaxation in height become possible due to CM’s assertion. By increasing pension amount i.e. Rs 8000 per month in place of Rs 4000 per month to Second World War veterans and their widows CM has shown his commitment towards the soldiers, added Joshi.
Other dignitaries including General (retd) Anand Swarup and lt Gen (retd) OP Kaushik also addressed the gathering and appreciated the efforts, which are being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, made by the state government so far.