MANDI BAHAUDDIN

Former soldiers held a rally in front of Mandi Bahaudding Press Club as a protest against the government for not ensuring “one rank, one pension” system and not establishing a district armed services board here.
They were carrying banners inscribed with their demands, and raising slogans. They also showed solidarity with their serving brethren in fight against terrorism. They said the states which ignore the welfare of their soldiers never win battles. They said successive governments did not pay attention to the problems relating to the ex-servicemen thus they are forced to take to the streets.
They said in early nineties, the government had stopped increase on commuted portion of their pension and now, they get increase on half pension. This is injustice to pensioners, they said. “The district lacks a soldier board. Recently, a soldier board camp office was established but it is not the answer to their problems,” they said.
They urged the government and Defence Ministry to enforce “one rank, one pension” system and set up DASB to facilitate ex-soldiers and their widows in getting their pension and welfare problems solved.