Western Command seeks land in Mohali for old-age home

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 6

Headquarters, Western Command has approached the Punjab Government for allocation of land in Mohali for setting up an old-age home for veterans and a Defence Services Officers’ Institute (DSOI) in the township.

Sources said that the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen KJ Singh has written to the state government, seeking 2 acres at a suitable site.

With changing socio-economic scenario, many veterans have to spend the twilight of their lives alone as they are unable to join their children elsewhere for varying reasons. An old-age home will give them the opportunity to live with dignity in a secure environment.

Mohali has a population of over 700 retired defence officers who, in addition to servicing officers belonging to the township, are dependent on the DSOI in Chandigarh and the Kheterpal Officers Institute in Chandimandir for social activities.

With Mohali spreading its wings and new sectors coming up in peripheral areas, a DSOI in the township would do away with the inconvenience of commuting long distances.

An old-age home for veterans has already come up in Panchkula and the Haryana Government has already allocated 2 acres in Sector 27 near the upcoming Army Welfare Housing Organisation complex for the construction of a DSOI to cater to service officers residing in that area.