Excelsior Correspondent
AKHNOOR, July 25: The Akhnoor unit of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association today held its monthly meeting under the chairmanship of naval veteran Lt Lakbir Singh Sohal.
A large number of Ex-servicemen, Veer Naris, and widows attended the meeting, during which various issues concerning their welfare were discussed in detail.
The members informed the gathering about their participation in a one-day protest in Delhi on July 23, organized by several ex-servicemen organizations at Jantar Mantar.
The protest sought resolution of long-pending issues like One Rank One Pension, Equal Military Service Pay, disability pension and pre-retirement benefits.
The Akhnoor Association pledged continued support to the central protest until the demands are met.
The Chairman lauded the Delhi delegation for their efforts and briefed the attendees on various Government schemes available for Ex-servicemen, Veer Naris, and widows.
He also explained the latest rule positions on related issues.
The association appreciated the J&K Government for setting up the Lt Governor’s Sainik Sahayata Kendra (LGSSK) to address the grievances of serving soldiers but urged that ex-servicemen also be included so their issues could be resolved quickly.
During the meeting, members again raised the demand to allow traffic from Jammu to Akhnoor via the old steel bridge instead of the new concrete one.
They said many people, including students, employees, patients, and veterans, face hardships due to the long detour caused by the diversion. The administration was urged to review the traffic route.
The meeting was conducted by Capt Mani Ram Bhagat, General Secretary, who gave a detailed account of the association’s recent activities.
Prominent attendees included Captain Santosh Sharma, Jugal Gupta, Bodh Raj, Sham Lal Sharma, Banarsi Lal and several other senior veterans.
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