Khattar wants more youth from state in armed forces

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 3

CM Manohal Lal Khattar today asked the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen Dalbir Singh to suggest ways that would enable greater participation by the state in the armed forces.

Addressing army officers, ex-servicemen and their family members after inaugurating Ashray, a home for aged veterans set up by the Western Command at Panchkula, he said that while Haryana accounted for just about two per cent of the national population, its contribution was about 10 per cent of the military’s manpower.

Ensuring all possible assistance to the armed forces by the government, Khattar also highlighted recent measures undertaken by the state towards the welfare of ex-servicemen and their dependants, including the hike in ex-gratia and financial assistance, administrative and financial support to sainik schools and other associated projects.

General Singh said that welfare of ex-servicemen was among his key result areas and several steps are being taken to ensure that facilities like medical care and canteen facilities were conveniently available. Similar old age homes would also be set up in other parts of the country. The multi-storey Ashray complex is the Army’s endeavour to provide comfortable, secure and dignified housing facilities to senior veterans in the twilight of their life. It has 60 fully furnished dwelling units.

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen KJ Singh, Haryana Chief Secretary, DS Dhesi, Ambala MP Rattan Lal Kataria, senior serving and retired officers were present on the occasion.