The recent announcement by the State Government about the hike in the monetary benefits of Distinguished Service Medal winners is welcomed by the veteran defence personnel in the State.
Veterans averred that it will help in overcoming the problem of shortage of manpower in all the three wings of Indian defence forces. After welcoming the State Government’s decision, Brig (Retd) KG Behl, former district president, Dehradun Ex-Services league said that Uttarakhand registers large number of representation in the Indian defence forces and would be proved extremely beneficial for them.
He said the State Government should also introduce effective steps for redressing the grievances of all those ex-servicemen who are living in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand. He said that sanctioning year-long pending demand of ex-servicemen which is One Rank-One Pension, hike in monetary perks of gallantry awardees etc would surely attract more young people to join the forces.
Echoing the same feelings, BSF IG (Retd) SS Kothiyal, State president, Ex-Central Armed Police Force Personnel Association said that the recently taken will surely help for curtailing the shortage of officers and other ranks in the Indian defence forces.
He also urged from the Union and State Government to introduce measures for redressing the grievances of para-military personnel. Expressing same feelings, lt Col (Retd) GS Rawat, State president, Uttarakhand Sainik Evam Ardh Sainik Sangathan said that the Congress-led State Government should also take effective measures for redressing the grievances of ex-servicemen.
It is to be noted that Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal and Veerta Medal awardees will get Rs 7 lakh each as one time monetary perk and Rs 60,000 and Rs 50,000 each annually. Similarly, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal and Mentioned in dispatches awardees will receive Rs 5 lakh, Rs 4 lakh and Rs 3.5 lakh as one time monetary perk respectively and will also receive Rs 50,000, Rs 40,000 and Rs 25,000 annually respectively.