Veteran gets 40-year ‘war injury pension’ arrears; tribunal raps central govt

MAJOR JASBEER SINGH (RETD), WHO LOST A LEG AND AN EYE IN A MINE BLAST IN 1966 ON THE INDOCHINA BORDER IN SIKKIM

CHANDIGARH : The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has ruled that a retired army major be given ‘war injury pension arrears’ of nearly 40 years and rapped the central government for approaching the issue in a ‘stonehearted fashion’.

Major Jasbeer Singh (retd), who lost a leg and an eye in a mine blast in 1966 on the Indo-china border in Sikkim and was discharged from service in 1978, has been running from pillar to post to get his dues for the last four decades.

Singh, who hails from Haryana, was decorated with the Sena Medal (gallantry) and his injury was declared as a ‘battle casualty’. The tribunal observed that it is “flabbergasted” with the government’s argument that the officer be given arrears for just three years.

The retired officer sent representations in November 2012, July 2013 and then December 2012 that he was entitled to a war injury pension as per a government order dated August 19, 2016.

He, however, was denied war injury pension arrears from September 1978 to July 2013 with the government maintaining that he was entitled for the same from July 2013 (the date of his representation) instead of date of his invalidation or retirement (1978).

The tribunal said Singh will be entitled to the arrears from September 1978 to July 2013 with 9% annual interest rate till the date of actual payment. The veteran will also get ₹30,000 litigation costs.