His distinguished service in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) operation in 1987 earned him the Mention-in-Dispatches from the Defence Ministry. Twenty-seven years hence, retired Lance Naik Nallapati Rosaiah is still running around government offices for the benefits that the award entails.
After his retirement from the Army in the 1990s, Rosaiah had been receiving a yearly annuity of Rs.150 (allowance meant for the recipients of Mention-in-Dispatches) till 2004.
“I last received my annuity way back in 2004. Since then, I have been submitting representations to the authorities concerned for restoring annuity but in vain,” he deplored.
‘Lack of funds cited as reasons’
He told The Hindu that employees at the Collectorate were citing lack of funds for the delay in sanction of annuity. “Sometimes they seek clarity on GOs to restore the annuity,” he lamented.
“Despite my consistent efforts, I could not get the five-acre (dry) agricultural land, which I am entitled to,” he rued.
Mr Rosaiah, who hails from Khammam, has also received the ‘Ucchh Tungta’ medal for serving in high-altitude areas like Siachen during his long stint in the Army.
Rosaiah is the district’s lone recipient of Mention-in-Dispatches, a military award presented for gallantry, said S. Ravinder, general secretary, Khammam District Ex-Servicemen, Widows and Dependents Welfare Association.
“Government land to an extent of 30,000 acres is available in the district. Not even a single acre of agricultural land was allotted to any ex-servicemen in the district in the last 20 years,” he said.
The annuity on gallantry awards should be increased from the meagre Rs.150 to Rs.15,000.
The educational, marriage and other grants for ex-servicemen and widows should be hiked, he urged.
The representation of Mr. Rosaiah for annuity has been taken up with the authorities concerned for speedy redressal, said P. Rajeshwara Sastry, Zilla Sainik Welfare Officer, Khammam.
