FATE OF VETERANS GUARDING HOSPITALS HANGS IN BALANCE

Around 2,000 Army veterans, employed as security guards in Delhi governmentrun hospitals, are staring at uncertainty owing to a proposal to replace them with men from private firms.

The directorate- general resettlement ( DGR) under the ministry of defence, which is responsible for ensuring the welfare of retired Army personnel, is currently in talks with the Delhi government to find a solution to the issue.

It all started with the city government floating a tender to rope in private security contractors to guard the hospitals.

“The plan will effectively deprive the DGR from participating in the process, thus rendering these ex- servicemen jobless,” said Col. Rathee ( Retd), who is associated with a security agency under the DGR.

“The ex- servicemen come back home after serving their country for 15 to 20 years and are dependent on such resettlement opportunities to support their families. The job provides them with stability and income at a crucial stage of their life,” he added.

According to the DGR, the Delhi government is claiming that private security guards will come at a much lesser cost as compared to ex- servicemen since a 14 per cent service charge is applicable in the case of the latter.

Tara Chand ( 45), who is posted as a security guard at the GB Pant Hospital, said that he is uncertain what the future holds for him and his family. “I have been posted as a security guard at this hospital for two years and earn ` 20,000 per month. I have a big family comprising of my wife, children, brother, and father. Somehow, we make ends meet with my salary and some other sources of income but I am worried about the future,” he said.