Rachel Thomas has reason to feel relief. Thanks to the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), the 84-year-old army widow will soon be receiving family pension.
A native of Thiruvalla, Ms. Thomas had moved the commission after repeated pleas to the Army and the Defence Minister failed to evoke a response.
Her husband K.J. Thomas, who retired from the Army in 1968, had a monthly pension of Rs.9,346. After his demise in 2012, Ms. Thomas had applied for family pension but failed to get a response.
Acting on Ms. Thomas’ petition, the commission sent notice to the Defence Secretary. In its reply, the Union government informed that the widow would be sanctioned pension.
