Thrissur, Jun 02: Indian Ex-Servicemen League President Brig Mohinder Singh today alleged that though over Rs 500 crore was collected as Kargil war fund, only Rs 139 crore was given to the army. The remaining Rs 361 crore was annexed with the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, he alleged. Talking to reporters here, Singh demanded the constitution of a parliamentary committee, including opposition members, to look into the matter and get back the rest of the amount for the soldiers' relief and developmental activities.
He said discrepancies in the pension disbursement to ex-servicemen should be removed and the restriction of 33 years of service for 50 per cent pension should also be dispensed with. Singh urged the Kerala government to give reservation for ex-servicemen in appointments as was done in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and adding that the State government should exempt ex-servicemen from payment of house tax in adherence with the order issued by the Central government in this regard.

If government did not concede to the "just" demands of ex-servicemen, the league would resort to direct action including gheraoing Parliament, Singh added.

Bureau Report