- Thursday, April 25, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
DEFENCE minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday (27) said prime minister Narendra Modi’s move to roll out ‘One Rank One Pension’ was a testimony to the Indian government’s commitment towards the welfare of ex-servicemen.
Singh said this in Leh where he was on a three-day visit starting Sunday.
During his visit, the minister spoke with 300 veterans, including Ashok Chakra recipient Naib Subedar (Honorary) Chhering Mutup (Retd) and Maha Vir Chakra recipient Colonel Sonam Wangchuk (Retd), according to a statement from the defence ministry.
In his speech, Singh praised the veterans’ dedication in ensuring the safety and security of the nation, reiterating the Indian government’s commitment towards their safety. Therein, he said Modi’s decision to roll out the ‘One Rank One Pension’ scheme, which ended decades-long wait, was a testimony to New Delhi’s commitment.
“Our aim is to take care of you in the same way as you all have taken care of the security of the country,” the defence minister said.
Singh lists out measures taken for army veterans
Singh also listed out various measures that the Indian government has taken in favour of the veterans. He said steps have been taken to address the issue of resettlement, including holding job fairs through the Directorate General Resettlement, in which a large number of veterans were offered employment.
He also said a number of online services under ‘Digital India’ have been started for the ex-servicemen. They include launch of the ‘e-sehat’ portal to provide telemedicine services, especially during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the introduction of Interactive Voice Response System to address problems faced by the veterans.
Lt Governor of Ladakh RK Mathur, Ladakh member of Parliament Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane and General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen YK Joshi were present on the occasion.
Singh, who also met the elected members of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils, Leh and Kargil and other officials, was set to inaugurate infrastructure projects constructed by the Border Roads Organisation and interact with troops deployed in the region.
(With India News Network inputs)
