More Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinics will come up in southern States to cater to the healthcare needs of ex-servicemen and their dependants, said Lieutenant General Jagbir Singh, General Officer Commanding, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala Area, here on Sunday.
Presently, 86 ECHS polyclinics were functioning in southern States and 21 more polyclinics would be established in the near future, Lt.Gen.Jagbir Singh said speaking at an ex-servicemen rally here.
The rally attended by around 1,700 ex-servicemen from Tiruchi and other districts was organised by the Madras Regimental Centre.
Exhorting ex-servicemen to become members of the ECHS, he termed ECHS as a good scheme that aimed to provide quality healthcare to ex-servicemen and their dependants.
At a time when treatments were becoming expensive, the ECHS was a cashless scheme started by the Ministry of Defence, he said. The bureaucracy and the political leadership in Tamil Nadu were responsive to the needs and grievances of ex-servicemen. Many corporates, realising the dedication, discipline, and commitment of ex-servicemen, utilised their service. Being a thoroughly disciplined fraternity, ex-servicemen should spread the message of discipline in their neighbourhood for the growth of society and nation, he said.
“You should motivate youth to join the armed forces,” Lt. Gen Singh told the ex-servicemen at the rally. Rallies of such kind were being organised to ascertain firsthand the problems of ex-servicemen and keep them informed of the latest policies, schemes, and benefits.
Collector Jayashree Muralidharan said welfare assistance to the tune of Rs.2.73 crore had been given to ex-servicemen of Tiruchi district through the Ex-servicemen Welfare Board.
Jobs had been provided to many ex-servicemen through the district employment exchange, she said.
Brigadier S.Suresh Kumar, Commandant, Madras Regimental Centre, said similar ex-servicemen rallies have been organised in Palani, Ramanathapuram, and Puducherry.
A medical camp was organised for the ex-servicemen and their dependants at the rally. A grievance cell to settle pending pension claims and related cases was established for the benefit of ex-servicemen. A sum of Rs.5,000 was given away to 60 veer naries during the rally.
