Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 2: The Jammu and Kashmir Ex-Services League (JKESL) held its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) at Trikuta Yatri Niwas, Ambphalla Jammu, under the chairmanship of its President Lt Gen Rakesh Kumar Sharma, AVSM, SM (Retd).
A statement said the meeting was attended by over 125 veterans, including district and tehsil presidents from across the Union Territory.
JKESL, which has been serving the interests of ex-servicemen, Veer Naris and serving soldiers since 1951, has over 22,000 members.
The meeting saw the presence of key office bearers including Col Rajinder Singh, Col O S Chouhan, Maj Gen Sunita Kapoor, Col K S Jamwal, Col Virendra Sahi, Col Qureshi, Col Paramjit, Col Kamal Padha, and Maj Bodh Raj.
Members raised several key demands such as early completion of ESM housing colonies in Jammu and Samba, enhancement in re-employment reservation, revised cash awards and annuities for gallantry awardees, 100% pension for widows of war-wounded and handicapped veterans, speedy arms licence renewals, improvement in Army Skill Centres, and resolution of ECHS and CSD-related issues.
The President highlighted JKESL’s initiatives including the formation of J&K Ex-Servicemen Corporation (JKESCO), a free ambulance service in Jammu, financial help for Veer Naris and disaster victims, and membership expansion. He also informed members about ‘Op Sindoor’ and India’s firm stand against terrorism.
Importantly, the President credited JKESL for playing a key role in getting the Government to approve the re-employment of 4000 ex-servicemen in the UT’s security grid.
This demand was strongly pushed by JKESL post the Pahalgam terror attack and was taken up with top military and Government officials, resulting in prompt action.
Lt Gen Sharma called upon all veterans to unite under JKESL’s banner and work together for stronger representation. He urged the Government to end discrimination against ex-servicemen and implement welfare schemes on par with other States.
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