Port Blair, May 07: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has highlighted some of the major issues being faced by Ex-Servicemen and their family members.
In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Member of Parliament mentioned that there are around 1000 Ex-Servicemen in these Islands, who are facing difficulties due to their meager pensions and lack of job opportunities.
He added that despite many turning to private entrepreneurship activities like running shops, fishing, agriculture, and tourism, they still face welfare concerns that could be addressed by the Central and UT administration.
He mentioned that these Ex-Servicemen and their family members have sacrificed a lot to serve mother India and now they are facing some challenges in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which needs to be addressed immediately.
The Member of Parliament pointed out the welfare schemes that are being granted in other States and UTs to their counterparts by state/UT governments, which could greatly benefit our Ex-Servicemen community.
These include:
1) Establishment of a Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare as existing in all States & UTs based on the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Defence.
2) Exemption of Property Tax for the ESMI Widows.
3) Allotment of adequate land for construction of a Housing Society.
4) Re-employment of Ex-Servicemen in various Departments of A&N Administration.
5) Recognition of Same Islander Category to Children of Ex-Servicemen when they return to the Island on retirement/release of their parents.
6) Policy on Inter-Island postings for Ex-Servicemen and their spouses who are employees working in various Departments of A&N Administration.
7) Reservation of one seat each in all colleges in A&N Islands including Nursing College for the ward of Ex-Servicemen.
8) Reservation of seats in ferry services as well as STS Express buses.
9) Permission to obtain Gun License for Security Duties.
10) Renewal of PSARA Licenses to the Security Agencies of Ex-Servicemen.
11) Reservation in allotment of shops in various shopping complexes to Ex-Servicemen.
12) Allocation of land/space for functioning of A&N Ex-Servicemen League.
13) Audit of Ex-Servicemen presently employed against the reservation quota in the various Depts of A&N Administration so that the balance can be filled up.
He said that these welfare schemes have been requested by the Ex-Servicemen for several years, but no progress has been made so far.
The Member of Parliament requested the Hon’ble Lt. Governor to consider these welfare schemes and take appropriate action to address the concerns of our Ex-Servicemen community as they have given best of their years in service of our motherland.
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