Veterans attend Satara rally, raise pension and medical facilities’ issues

PUNE: As many as 3,000 veterans from Western Maharashtra attended an ex-servicemen rally in Satara on Sunday to resolve issues related to pension, medical facilities among others.
The rally was organised by Pune-based Bombay Engineering Group (BEG) and Centre. Various stalls from different Record Offices of the Indian Army’s regiments were put up for resolving pension anomalies and for implementing the recent rise in pension scales.
To assist the veterans in resettlement and welfare aspects, the Army also put up stalls for Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Canteen Stores Department (CSD) Smart Card, Army Recruiting Office, Army Welfare Placement Organisations and other welfare agencies.
The ex-servicemen registered themselves with the representatives of Army Placement Node present at the rally, which provided an insight into the job opportunities after retirement.
Col RR Jadhav (retd), Zilla Sainik Welfare Officer, Satara, told TOI, “The rally received a positive response as veterans from Sangli, Satara and Kolhapur districts attended the rally and submitted their issues to their respective record offices of the regiment.”
Nationalised banks also set up stalls to disseminate information on various financial schemes and privileges offered to ex-servicemen and their wives.
Lt Gen Vishwambar Singh, General Officer Commanding Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa Area was the chief guest for the event. Other senior serving officers Major General Prithi Singh, General Officer Commanding Dakshin Maharashtra Sub Area and Brigadier Dhiraj Mohan commandant of the BEG were present.