2,000 short-service & emergency commissioned officers played big roles in India-Pakistan wars. Army Commanders’ Conference discussed a pension scheme for them.

New Delhi: Nearly 2,000 short-service and emergency commissioned officers, who played crucial operational roles in the India-Pakistan wars 1965 and 1971 but could not be absorbed into the Army, may soon start getting a monthly pension of Rs 30,000.

This was among the many issues discussed at the Army Commanders’ Conference Wednesday.

The proposed pension scheme is on the lines of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ scheme for freedom fighters and their families.

Sources in the Army said the force had moved a proposal to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in March this year. The ministry examined it and sent it back to the Army with some queries. The Army is currently in the process of filing its replies.

A senior Army officer said on the condition of anonymity that about 2,000 such personnel have been identified.

“They could not be absorbed, despite playing crucial operational roles in both the wars,” the officer said, adding they deserve the monthly pension like other war veterans.

In May this year, the Union cabinet approved the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) for such short-service and emergency commissioned officers.

The Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare, under the MoD, had written to the states last year to ensure that World War II veterans get a monthly assistance of Rs 10,000, even though there are very few such surviving veterans.Several states had not increased the amount to Rs 10,000, despite repeated reminders from the ministry.