one rank, one pension to ex-servicemen, Amarinder promises

promises one rank, one pension to ex-servicemen

PTI Jan 15, 2012, 07.18PM IST

·          

Amarinder promises one rank, one pension to ex-

servicemen

MEHALKALAN: With Punjab going to polls on January 30, state Congress President Amarinder Singh on Sunday promised to ex-servicemen that he will ensure that the one rank one pension scheme was introduced.

He said, he had already taken up the matter with the Central Government and hoped it will be implemented soon.

Addressing a function organised by the Punjab Chapter of the Indian Ex-Service League here, Amarinder, himself an ex-army man, regretted that "some bureaucrats sitting in Delhi who had no idea as what it meant to be a soldier were trying to put hurdles in the implementation."

He appealed to the ex-servicemen to help and support the Congress in the forthcoming assembly elections in Punjab.

He said, ex-servicemen are pride of Punjab but unfortunately they have not received their due after retirement or leaving the services of the armed forces.

"An important step in this direction has already been taken with the Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions having recommended one rank one pension scheme," he said, while adding, Congress was committed that the rights of ex-servicemen are protected.

He said, the party will pursue with the Central Government for 100 per cent implementation of One Rank One Pension scheme which will benefit 8 lakh ex-servicemen of Punjab.

Among other things he promised included that ex-servicemen would be exempted from paying toll-tax on the state highways to be constructed on Public Private Partnerships basis, every effort shall be made to remove anomalies of the 6th Pay Commission for Defence Personnel and VAT on all CSD items will be exempted.