On placement of ex-servicemen in public and private sectors, Antony said, "Efforts are now being made to persuade public sector undertakings and the private sector to tap this invaluable reservoir of talented and disciplined ex-servicemen."
Replying to a query on setting up a war memorial for the defence forces, Antony said the issue may be settled in the near future. Terming it as a "serious" matter, he said, discussions are on in the Ministry over it. On the long-pending demand of `One Rank, One Pension` for the ex-servicemen, he said the issue has to be approached in a phased manner and the "sincerity of the government is very much evident on it."
Maintaining that government is taking "aggressive measures" for all-round welfare and well being of ex-servicemen, Antony said the health of the ex-servicemen and their dependents is a prime concern for the government. Giving details of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Antony said it presently caters to 38 lakh beneficiaries including 12 lakh ex-servicemen and over 26 lakh dependents.
"Initially, 227 polyclinics had been approved by the Cabinet. Later, in 2008 another 199 clinics were sanctioned, out of which 20 are functional and 179 are in various stages of implementation. This scheme is currently being implemented through 247 polyclinics," Antony said.
In 2010-11 alone, a total of 89 lakh patients visited these polyclinics. Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said the Ministry is working with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to upgrade skills of ex-servicemen to ensure them gainful employments in various sectors.
Today`s meeting was attended by MPs from various political parties including Naveen Jindal, Shashi Tharoor, Ram Chandra Khuntia, Bal Apte and H K Dua. Secretary Ex-Servicemen`s Welfare Samirendra Chatterjee and Secretary Defence Production Shekhar Agarwal were also present there.