New Delhi, Sep 30 (ANI): Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Friday urged authorities to find a permanent solution to settle all pending disputes over the pension claims of ex-servicemen 'at the earliest'.
Addressing a function organised by the Comptroller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) here, Antony asked defence auditors to expedite the pension claims of retired personnel at the earliest.
"Everyday, I am getting a lot of complaints about not settling the pension claims of the ex-servicemen. It is not your fault; we are carrying a historical baggage, but we have to find a permanent solution to this as quickly as possible," said Antony.
"Whenever the government increases the pension, after that, the settlement of pension disputes take a lot of time. Because of the latest decisions all of us took, I think things will be moving fast," he added.
For many years, retired personnel of the Indian Armed Forces have been demanding the disbursal of revised pension and arrears to them, besides streamlining the existing pension system for the ex-servicemen.
However, despite intense debate and discussions on the issue, the government is yet to formulate a concrete resolution to the row.
Expressing concern at the anguish and pain caused by the deadlock to ex-servicemen, Antony asserted that it was the duty of defence finance officials to work for the benefit of the personnel, who had toiled to protect the country's borders for years.
"Ultimately, the taste of the pudding is the satisfaction of the users, that is the pensioners mainly, because who contributed the entire prime of their lives to protect every inch of our soil in the border areas and other difficult areas," said Antony.
The issue gathered steam when former Indian ex-servicemen demanded parity in pension scales, irrespective of the date on which a soldier retired.
Highlighting the plight of the ex-servicemen, Antony urged defence finance officials to empathise with their cause.
"When somebody is in a position, it is easy to get things done. After retirement, from the same office itself, it is very, very difficult; it will take time to settle pending issues. So, all of us, including myself, and all of you, must think, all our positions are temporary, one day we will have to vacate," said Antony.
"At that time, we will have to approach others to fight some of the pending issues during our time. So, while occupying important positions, we must always think, people who were there before us, in various batches of ministry of defence, including services, we must do justice to the retired peoples," he added. (ANI)
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