One Rank One Pension: SSC Officers demands equality in pension and medical facilities

New Delhi : The ex- ECOs and SSC0s who fought in 1965 and 1971 Wars for the country held a press conference today, to press their pension right and medical benefits at Press Club of India, Delhi.

Representatives of SSC Ex- servicemen , Captain Jaspal Singh who is a veteran of 1971 War and Capt Harish Gulati who is veteran of 1965 War for India addressed the media and highlighted their sad plight and injustice meted towards them .

These ex-servicemen have alleged biasness towards them in terms of getting facilities and benefits from the Government. They are demanding similar pension as per OROP tables and medical benefits just like regular officers recruited in the Army.

The representatives of the SSC ex — servicemen officers have met the Defence Minister and the Chief of the Army Staff in this regard on several occasions , but nothing substantial has lateralized till date , their efforts have been in vain .

Capt. Jaspal Singh informed that SSC Officers after serving the Indian Army for 5 , 10 , 14 years and participating in many operations are not eligible for pension and medical benefits after their release .Today even the civilians are being catered to several benefits under various schemes of state and central governments , but the SSC and Emergency commissioned officers are still facing the neglect as there is no policy for them.

These SSC officers do not get treated at Military Hospitals , and more they are forced to do odd jobs to earn a living . Such Ex-servicemen who fought for the country and devoid of pension & other benefits .

The representatives of the SSC officers informed that they met the Defence Minister and Chief of the Army Staff twice but so far nothing has happened . These ex-servicemen have held a similar press conference at Chandigarh Press Club . Capt R K Bhardwaj informed that many Emergency and Short Service Commissioned officers have won several gallantry awards including Param Vir Ckakra by Maj Parveshrawaram (SS-12 ) Mahavir Chakra Major ( Later Brigadier ) K S Chandpuri (SS-1 Course ), Asoka Chakra and Vir Chakras .

The representatives have sent more than 150 representations to Prime Minister and Defence Minister in this regard . The Defence Secretary informed that they could not provide medical facilities under ECHS due to stress resources nor they can change the central government health policy.

The SSC officers are also demanding that they should also be included in the OROP, which the Govt implemented in 2015 , for them who also served the country and sacrificed their lives during the war.