NEW DELHI: The defence ministry’s recent tightening of disability pension rules for military personnel has once again erupted into a controversy, with Congress alleging that BJP’s “fake nationalism” was yet again visible and the government hitting back contending that the armed forces were on board for the move.
The ‘Entitlement rules for casualty pensionary awards to the armed forces personnel-2023’ were issued on September 21, under which a new provision for ‘impairment relief’ has been introduced to cover most lifestyle-related diseases like hypertension and diabetes, largely delinking them from the disability element in the pension.
This comes after a CAG report in March had expressed concern that as many as 36%-40% of military officers who retire every year were getting disability pension, while only 15%-18% of the jawans were getting it, as was then reported by TOI.
The All India Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association, however, has strongly protested against the new MoD policy, claiming that the new rules place soldiers at a disadvantage when compared to civilian government employees.
Referring to this, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday slammed BJP by alleging that the Modi government was a “habitual offender” in working against the welfare of jawans, ex-service personnel and veterans.
The government, however, countered that the new policy was based on the recommendations made by a committee headed by a top military officer. “The recommendations of the committee have been implemented in letter and spirit,” a MoD official said.
“Many soldiers do suffer injuries as well as undergo tremendous stress and strain while serving in high-altitude areas or other tough operations. But it is also a fact that the disability provision was being misused by some officers to claim much higher pensions, with many such cases being filed just before retirement. The new policy tightens the norms,” he added.
The ‘Entitlement rules for casualty pensionary awards to the armed forces personnel-2023’ were issued on September 21, under which a new provision for ‘impairment relief’ has been introduced to cover most lifestyle-related diseases like hypertension and diabetes, largely delinking them from the disability element in the pension.
This comes after a CAG report in March had expressed concern that as many as 36%-40% of military officers who retire every year were getting disability pension, while only 15%-18% of the jawans were getting it, as was then reported by TOI.
The All India Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association, however, has strongly protested against the new MoD policy, claiming that the new rules place soldiers at a disadvantage when compared to civilian government employees.
Referring to this, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday slammed BJP by alleging that the Modi government was a “habitual offender” in working against the welfare of jawans, ex-service personnel and veterans.
The government, however, countered that the new policy was based on the recommendations made by a committee headed by a top military officer. “The recommendations of the committee have been implemented in letter and spirit,” a MoD official said.
“Many soldiers do suffer injuries as well as undergo tremendous stress and strain while serving in high-altitude areas or other tough operations. But it is also a fact that the disability provision was being misused by some officers to claim much higher pensions, with many such cases being filed just before retirement. The new policy tightens the norms,” he added.
Source link