The Indian Ex-Services League (IESL), the apex body representing retired soldiers, has written to all Members of Parliament seeking intervention to resolve long-pending issues related to healthcare, pensions and the forthcoming pay commission.

In letters sent to MPs of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, the IESL highlighted pending bills under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), stating that there has been a steady deterioration in its implementation, primarily due to a shortage of funds.

“The biggest problem is the outstanding bills of empanelled hospitals and individual beneficiaries,” the IESL said, adding that while there is no funding issue for serving personnel, retired soldiers continue to face difficulties.

On the issue of the proposed 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), the IESL said the panel would determine the future of over 25 lakh veterans. “We continue to suffer from anomalies carried forward from one pay commission to another. Even the one-man judicial committee report of Justice Narasimha Reddy, appointed in 2015 on one-rank-one-pension (OROP), has not been implemented,” it said.

The organisation also pointed out that even when courts grant relief in individual or collective cases involving veterans, the Ministry of Defence often files appeals.