War decorated heroes unhappy with government assistance

Chandigarh, Mar 11 (UNI) The war heroes of the country fade away from memory during peace time and their exploits on the battlefield remain confined to their regiment and units.

''The acts of valour of a soldier on the war front or the sufferings of a martyr's widow are forgotten as time goes by'', Brig (retd) Sant Singh, President of War Decorated India and the only surviving double Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) said today while interacting with the media.

The Brig in the presence of a number of other war decorated heroes highlighted the apathy of the government towards the problems of war heroes and their families or their widows.

''The war heroes are not compensated in keeping in view their sacrifices and hardships,'' Brig Sant Singh said while refering to the financial benefits being given to the war heroes which were very meagre as compared to what was being given to freedom fighters.

''Our acts of bravery were not for any personal gain, but to uphold the honour of the country and integrity of the borders'', the retd brigadier said.

War Decorated India, an association of Param Vir Chakra (PVC), MVC and Vir Chakra (VrC) winners and their widows, will be holding its trienial convention-cum-reunion here on March 17 and 18 to take stock of the government apathy towards their welfare.

''We are not mercenaries, and our families also have the right to respectable life'', he said.

Referring to the apathy of the government, the war heroes pointed out that a PVC winner was receiving just Rs 1,500 per month as compared to Rs 11,581 being given to by a category-A freedom fighter. A MVC winner was getting Rs 1,200 per month, while a category-B freedom fighter was receiving Rs 10,190 per month and a VrC winner was paid only Rs 850 per month by the Central government whereas the same government was paying Rs 10,000 per month to a category-C freedom fighter.

''The war heroes do not at all grudge the freedom fighters being paid at that rate, but what they are highly sore about is the governments insensitiveness towards them'', Brig Sant Singh said pointing out that the total number of PVC winners was 21, MVC 218 and VrC 1318. Whereas, the list of freedom fighters and their dependents was much larger, he added.

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