Chandigarh, February 5
Senior Congress leader and MLA from Bholath, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, today launched a scathing attack on the BJP led Central Government for what he termed as the “systematic neglect and financial injustice” being meted out to India’s armed forces personnel and veterans.
Khaira strongly condemned the reported denial and dilution of income tax concessions on disability pensions and other service related benefits of soldiers, calling it a “heartless and shameful decision that strikes at the dignity of those who sacrificed their health and limbs for the nation.”
“A soldier who returns home with a disability after serving in extreme and life threatening conditions deserves respect, care and financial security not tax notices and bureaucratic harassment. This decision reflects a dangerous disconnect between the government’s slogans and its actual treatment of our faujis,” said Khaira.
Khaira emphasized that disability pension is not a salary, but a form of compensation for physical and mental loss suffered in the line of duty. “To tax or restrict concessions on disability pension is morally wrong. It is an insult to soldiers who stood on the borders so that politicians could sit safely in Delhi. The government must immediately restore full tax relief and clarify its position in favour of armed forces personnel,” he said.
Khaira also raised the issue of the long-pending anomalies and grievances under the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, accusing the BJP government of making tall promises but failing to deliver justice.
“Even years after announcing OROP, thousands of ex-servicemen continue to protest over anomalies, unequal calculations and delayed revisions. The government used OROP as a political slogan, but veterans are still fighting for what was promised to them,” Khaira stated.
Criticising the Agniveer recruitment scheme, Khaira said it has created deep uncertainty among youth and weakened the traditional regimental structure and long-term welfare security of soldiers.
“Instead of strengthening the armed forces with permanent, trained personnel and assured post retirement support, the government has introduced a short-term contractual model. How can a soldier fight with full morale when his own future is uncertain?” Khaira questioned.
Khaira alleged that there is a growing pattern where the government publicly glorifies the armed forces but quietly reduces their financial and welfare protections. “From pension issues to disability benefits and service conditions, the trend shows cost cutting at the expense of soldiers. National security cannot be managed on contract, and soldiers’ welfare cannot be treated as a budget burden,” he said.
Khaira demanded that Union Government ensure full income tax exemption and protection of disability pensions of armed forces personnel, resolve all OROP anomalies in consultation with veterans’ associations, Review the Agniveer scheme and safeguard long-term service security and benefits and stop any dilution of pensions, allowances and welfare benefits of serving and retired defence personnel.
“Our soldiers give their youth, health and sometimes their lives for the nation. The least the government can do is ensure dignity, financial security and justice. Anything less is a betrayal of those who guard our borders,” Khaira added.
