Govt to discuss employing ex-servicemen in paramilitary

"One suggestion (in the Kendriya Sainik Board meeting) is to find more opportunities for ex-servicemen in the paramilitary forces. Government will discuss this issue seriously and already some discussions are going on," Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters on the sidelines of an ex-servicemen function here today.

The Minister said every year around 50,000 officers and personnel below officer rank retire from the services but their skills are not being utilised effectively post-retirement.

Antony said it was also decided at the meeting to make an appeal to all the central and state governments and the private sector to take more retired armed forces personnel in their pool.

"We will ask all state and central agencies to fully implement the decisions taken in this already by the government," he said.

Asked if the Government was planning to accept the demand of ex-servicemen for `One rank One Pension`, Antony said in the last seven years of the UPA rule, their pensions have been increased twice.

"Though One rank One Pension is a dream, we are nearing it. Our approach is that step by step increase it at least to the nearest pole. We are in the process and whenever we get an opportunity, we try to increase it," he said.

The Minister said the share of central contribution in the functioning of District and State Sainik Boards in all the states will also be increased.

Antony said the Ministry is also going to ask the state governments to increase the rewards and amounts paid to gallantry award winners and their families.

"Recently we had increased the amount for them but that is not enough. We are again going to take up that matter with the Government," he said.