Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh speaks during the ex-servicemen rally at Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall in Jalandhar on Saturday. a Tribune Photograph

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 8

Punjab Congress Committee president Captain Amarinder Singh today said that he would take up the matter of opening 20 more clinics, under the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) in Punjab, with Union Minister of Defence Manohar Parrikar and the local Army authorities.Captain Amarinder was here to to attend a meeting of ex-servicemen of the Doaba region, organised by the Shahkot constituency probable candidate Captain Harminder Singh at Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall here.Ex-servicemen said while there was a provision to open an ECHS clinic for every 7,000 population of ex-servicemen, Bholath, which is having over 22,000 population of retired Army personnel, did not have an ECHS clinic or an Army canteen. Since most of them were old, they found it difficult to travel over 15 to 20 km to get themselves checked at Jalandhar.To this, the Captain replied that he had taken up the matter with the Union Government during the Congress regime and even got many ECHS clinics opened in various parts of the state. However, I will again take up the matter with the Union Government and hope that they will provide some respite to our ex-servicemen in the region, said Captain Amarinder Singh.Also, many ex-servicemen raised the issue of extending ex-servicemen reservation benefits to their grandchildren if their children had not availed benefits in government jobs. Retired General SPS Grewal also raised concern over the non-filling of vacancies under the ex-servicemen quota in the Punjab Government jobs. “Even though the state government grants 13 per cent quota in the government jobs, a majority of these are lying vacant,” said Gen Grewal.The ex-servicemen also slammed the working of the District Sainik Welfare Board officials for being a “puppet” in the hands of the state government and urged them to be under a panel formed of ex-servicemen group. Many alleged that no forms were available and even there was no one to help old people in getting these forms filled. Also, many other issues were raised during the meeting. One ex-serviceman also suggested Captain Amarinder that although much had been written on the contribution of Sikh regiments during various wars, nothing much had been written on the contribution of Sikh Light Infantry (Sikh Li) regiments and so he should pen down a book to record their contribution as well. The old horse said though he had participated in almost all the wars, including 1962, 65, 71 and even many other conflicts after that, his unit did not find much place in the Indian history. Captain Amarinder assured him that he would sure write down their role in various wars. Also, speaking on Pargat Singh and cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, Captain Amarinder said that though Pargat Singh was welcome in the party, it was better that Sidhu stayed away from the Congress. “He is a very confused personality and should refrain from joining the Congress,” said Captain Amarinder.Later, he also held a meeting with the district in charges and their teams and motivated them to join hands to secure a majority win for the Congress in the 2017 Assembly elections. Captain Harminder Singh said the Congress party would leave no stone unturned to provide respite to the aggrieving ex-servicemen community in the state.

OTHER ISSUES RAISED

• One ex-serviceman also suggested to Amarinder that although much had been written on the contribution of Sikh regiments during various wars, nothing much had been written on the contribution of the Sikh Light Infantry (Sikh Li) regiments and he should pen down a book to record their contribution as well. The old horse said though he had participated in almost all the wars, including 1962, ‘65, ‘71 and even other conflicts after that, his unit did not find much place in Indian history. Captain Amarinder assured him that he would write about their role in various wars. Retired General SPS Grewal also raised concern over the non-filling of vacancies under the ex-servicemen quota in jobs under the Punjab Government