Morale mauling
There are more than sentimental reasons for military leaders to consistently emphasise the welfare of ex-servicemen. They are fully aware the morale of serving personnel is vitally dependent on their being confident that their families - and that includes all veterans - will be cared for should they be required to pay the ultimate price when serving the nation. Dissatisfied ex-servicemen militate against both quality recruitment and professionalism. It is in that context that the defence ministry would do well to clarify a recent directive to the armed services that they automatically appeal, to the apex court if necessary, against verdicts of courts and tribunals that have ruled in favour of claims for higher compensation from certain categories of veterans. There could well be valid technical reasons for the ministry taking such a stance, but a totally negative message is being conveyed. At one level, the ministry and its babus reinforce an impression that they have scant regard for the hardships endured by those who have spent the best part of their lives serving the Colours. At another level, the indication of appeals against awards of higher compensation points to the government being prepared to let veterans “bleed” from the considerable expenses incurred when dealing with matters in higher courts ~ the “establishment” does not suffer, its legal expenses are billed to the taxpayer.
What must never be overlooked is that veterans who seek relief from tribunals and courts do so only because the government’s in-house redressal mechanisms do not deliver, it is common knowledge that soldiers are no “match” for babus when unravelling red tape is required. So complex and confusing are the regulations governing “compensation” etc that many a veteran breathes his last convinced that he did not get a fair deal. Serving personnel have lamented that with each Pay Commission their difficulties multiply ~ for veterans the situation is even more agonising. There is another Pay Commission in the offing, so the anxieties of ex-servicemen are on the rise: they fear they may no longer be around when all the anomalies in the award are resolved.
What the veterans need is a defence minister capable of independent thinking, applying a mind uncluttered by precedents and regulations. That kind of a bold minister is virtually impossible to find, but in his absence there is a danger of the frustrations of ex-servicemen being exploited for other political advantage. A message, right or wrong, that they might have to “fight” their cases all the way to the apex court could fuel the disaffection with the present dispensation. And this is an election year.
From The Statesman