The living conditions of ex-servicemen have a direct bearing on the morale of the Armed Forces since the community of soldiers is a very closely knit society. This makes it essential for the Government to ensure that the ex-servicemen lead a dignified life, president of Army, Navy, Air Force Ex-servicemen Association, Visakhapatnam, Lt Colonel (retd.) S.M. Basha has said.
In a memorandum submitted to Visakha South MLA and ex-serviceman Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar, the former Lieutenant Colonel of the First Gurkha Regiment outlined a number of issues that affect the lives of ex-servicemen directly.
“While rehabilitation, resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen is the joint responsibility of the Central and State governments, the role of the State Government is pivotal as it has to redress most grievances of ex-servicemen,” he pointed out.
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Post bifurcation there is a need to relocate Andhra Sub Area, now in Secunderabad, to Visakhapatnam. Visakhapatnam district accounts for 14,000 of the 75,000 ex-servicemen and widows in the new State of Andhra Pradesh.
Sub Area is the nodal office agency for liaison between the State government and military with regard to important issues concerning national security, aid to civil authorities and welfare of both serving and retired soldiers, he pointed out.
He listed out a number of issues like the rules of the State Government that treat the released officers of the Armed Forces on par with other candidates applying for Government jobs.
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The degree issued by Army Headquarters is recognised for recruitment of clerical and accountant posts but not for executive posts, the ex-serviceman rued.
Col Basha decried the apathy of the officials in dealing with ex-servicemen with regard to allotment of land they are entitled and urged the MLA to look into the issue.
He requested the State Government to provide travel concession to ex-servicemen and widows who have to travel distances for regular medical treatment.