Early Times Report
Akhnoor, Aug 25: The Ex-Servicemen Association Akhnoor held its monthly meeting today under the chairmanship of Navy Veteran Er. Lakhbir Singh, where a significant number of ex-servicemen gathered to discuss pressing issues and concerns.
The meeting focused on various welfare issues affecting Ex-Servicemen, Veer Naris, and widows. Chairman Lakhbir Singh provided detailed feedback on recent activities, particularly emphasizing the functioning of the ECHS Poly Clinic, which has been a critical resource for veterans’ healthcare.
One of the central topics of discussion was the ongoing dissatisfaction with the One Rank One Pension (OROP) anomalies. The ex-servicemen expressed their frustration over the Central Government’s delay in addressing these concerns, demanding an immediate resolution to this long-standing issue.
As the upcoming Assembly Elections approach, the Chairman advised the members to consider the social background, secularism, education, and public-friendly attitude of the candidates before casting their votes. He mentioned that a concrete decision and further instructions would be provided after the candidates are announced.
A pressing local issue discussed was the scarcity of drinking water in the village of Pallawan, which has persisted for nearly two weeks. Chairman Lakhbir Singh directly contacted the concerned PHE official, who assured that the problem would be resolved shortly.
Additionally, the ex-servicemen advocated for their inclusion in the Village Defence Guards (VDGs), citing their extensive training and experience in handling weapons as a valuable asset to the community’s security.
The meeting was conducted by Sub Maj (Retd) Mani Ram Bhagat, who also summarized the activities and events undertaken in the previous month. The gathering saw participation from several notable members, including Capt Bodh Raj, Jugal Gupta, Santosh Sharma, Dev Raj, Kaka Ram, Raghbir Singh, Jagdev Singh, Shello Ram, Parkadsh Chand, Bharat Bhushan, and Puran Chand. The discussions highlighted the ongoing commitment of the ex-servicemen to address their welfare issues and contribute to the community’s well-being. |
