Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 8: Vir Chakra awardee, war veteran and State Director for the War Decorated India, Col Dr Virendra K Sahi called on the Director Rajya Saink Board to pursue the payments of the unpaid annuity of year 2016-17 to the gallantry award winners of the State and their widows or next of kin.
Frustrated at the outcome and the persistent apathetical attitude of the State Government, Col Sahi pointed out that the Rajya Sainik Board has an annual budget of about Rs 11 crore, out of which only Rs 1.3 crore is paid as the State Government annuity to the gallantry award winners including the war widows of such gallant warriors, in spite of repeated efforts by RSB.
Firstly, this amount is far lower than the other States in the country that have substantial enrollment in the Armed forces and is lowest among all the neighbouring states like Punjab, Haryana, HP and Rajasthan. Secondly, the amount was released regularly by April in each calendar year by all previous governments, however, ever since the BJP-PDP coalition has come to power, this amount is not being paid in time. This year while rest of the amount is released but the amount of Rs 1.3 crore required for annuities is held back along with the amount of a few lacks required for the Safai Karamcharis.
“ This is how the State Government is supporting the War veterans, widows and the PMs Swachhata Abhiyan,” said Col Sahi.
He said J&K State has seen maximum sacrifices by our troops in 1947, 1965, 1971, 1987 and 1999 and continued cease fire violations in the proxy war thereafter. Strongly condemning the attitude of the State Government, the sixth time unanimously elected State Director said that such ungrateful attitude adversely affects the moral of troops. He added that a nation that does not look after its war widows, does not care for its war wounded and does not honour its brave warriors cannot have a face to wish for victory in the next war situation.
He requested the Governor, Chief Minister, Dy CM and the Home department to release the annuity amount to the Rajya Sainik Board at the earliest.
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