On being approached by the State Director and other members of War Decorated India, an organisation of decorated war veterans, Sat Paul Sharma, CA, MLA (Jammu West) and President Bharatiya Janata Party, Jammu & Kashmir has written a DO letter to the Honourable Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti drawing her attention to the non-payment of annuity grant for year 2016-17 to the gallantry award winners of the State/their widows/next of kin. J&K has the history of soldiering and producing great warriors who have always excelled in the battlefield. Sat pointed out that our state is one of the very few in the country that has produced the winners of the two highest awards namely Param Vir Chakra (PVC) and Ashok Chakra (AC). Besides, it has many other award winners including Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), Vir Chakra (Vr C) and other war time/peace time gallantry award/distinguished service award winners belonging to all three regions of the state and numbering approximately 750. Sat wrote that in recognition of their winning of the gallantry award they are paid annual annuity by the State Government as per the rates fixed by the government.
Sat pointed out that it is being alleged by the veterans and a section of media that the amount was being released regularly by April in each calendar year by the previous governments but ever since the coalition government has come to power the amount is not being paid in time. He drew the attention of the CM to the fact that during the last calendar year the amount was paid sometimes in December. Sat expressed grave concern at the lackadaisical approach of the concerned officials towards the welfare of war veterans that has brought a bad name to the Coalition Government. He informed the CM that for the current year also the funds have not been released to the Rajya Sainik Board, the disbursing authority for the same. The President highlighted that Bharatiya Janata Party is committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen and is always in the forefront to voice their grievances.
Sat Sharma apprised the CM that neglect of ex-servicemen particularly war veterans and that too gallantry award winners has a very demoralising effect on the serving soldiers as well. He, therefore, urged the CM to issue immediate instructions for speedy release of funds amounting to approximately 1.5 Crore to the Rajya Sainik Board. He also recommended institution of checks and balances to ensure that such type of lapses are not repeated in future.
