Ex-servicemen's rally comes up with crucial suggestions

Bhopal, Oct 25 (UNI) Preparation of a roster for ex-servicemen applying for Madhya Pradesh government jobs reserved for them was a key suggestion that emerged at an ex-servicemen's annual rally held here today in the run-up to Infantry Day -- October 27.

''Such a roster exists for other categories but ex-servicemen suffer deprivation due to its absence. The Governor's office has relaxed rules for appointment of ex-servicemen and these should be strictly followed,'' Major-General (Retd) Ashok Kumar told former Armed Forces personnel on the District Sainik Board (DSB) premises here.

Sometimes the job applications of registered ex-servicemen's dependents are rejected just because they were not educated in this state, he pointed out while highlighting the pension case of Lance Naik Mehboob Ali of the 1st Bhopal Infantry.

''The soldier retired way back in 1946 and passed away in 2002.

His widow is eligible for pension but is not receiving it as the records office says that the Madhya Pradesh Police did not hand over the papers. The police in turn say that the records are lost,'' he explained.

Mr S K Agrawal, IAS, from the state Home department, assured that his department would ensure filling up of backlog reserved posts and in L/Nk Ali's case an attempt would be made to sort out the matter through a local inquiry.

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