Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 5

The Union Government has extended the status of “ex-servicemen” to short service commission (SSC) officers who leave armed forces after the completion of initial service period of 10 years, but before completing the extension period of another four years.

A notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension a few days ago states that Rule 2 of the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979, shall be amended to insert the clause that SSC officers released from service after completing initial terms of engagement, otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency, and having granted gratuity shall be eligible to ex-servicemen status.

This implies that SSC officers who chose to leave the services between 10 and 14 years of service will now be eligible to get post-release benefits on a par with those released from service on the completion of the mandatory 10 years of service or those who leave after exercising the option for continuing till 14 years. benefits that these officers will now be entitled to include job quota in government organisations and other schemes.