Army Chief Gen VK Singh hints at one rank, one pension

Ballia, Apr 22: Chief of Army Staff General VK Singh hinted at implementation of one rank one pension and said all information regarding ex-army men would be collected and their problems would be sorted out.

Addressing a conference of ex-army men Gen Singh said that all efforts were being made to implement one rank one pension from the last two years. Stating efforts were also being made to remove disparity in the family pension scheme, the COAS said it may take time, but there would certainly be one or the other good outcome.

Implementation of one rank one pension scheme would involve an expenditure of Rs 3,000 crore, but it was less from the point of the welfare of the soldiers, Singh said. He was here to unveil the statue of former Prime Minister Chadrashekhar at Devsthali.

Assuring soldiers after becoming pensioners they would not be forgotten, Gen Singh said both unit and headquarters have been directed to speedily redress pension related and other complaints of ex-army men. He said that all details of ex-army men, including that of their families, were being gathered and they would include whether any family member of an ex-army man was aggrieved and what his problem was.

Though the media was kept away from his programme, some reporters managed to enter the venue and enquired Gen Singh whether he would hand over documents related to the bribery case to the CBI. Gen Singh refused to comment and said that media should gather information from the CBI in this regard.

At a public function later, Singh emphasised on setting up of better educational institutions in rural areas and said they should focus on all round development of students. "It is the responsibility of the younger generation to take the country forward," he added.

Chandrashekhar's son and MP Neeraj Shekhar and MLC Ravishanker Pappu were also present at the event.

PTI