Army committed to welfare of retired personnel: Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh

BARRACKPORE: The Army will do everything possible to ensure pension benefits to those have retired, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh said today.

"I have taken up issue with the Centre. We are committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen," he told reporters at the RCTC Stadium in army command area in North 24 Parganas district.

Gen Singh, who came here to launch a helpline for ex-servicemen, said besides the Eastern Command Hospital the Army authorities had empanelled some hospitals with all modern facilities in the state for treatment of retired army people.

"The West Bengal government is also sympathetic to the welfare of retired army personnel issue and has extended all possible cooperation," he said.

Gen Singh said army authorities will set up an old-age home in each command area in future while four more poly-clinics will be added to the existing 14 to cater to the ex-service personnel.

About beautification along the Hooghly river side, with part of the plot falling in the Army zone, he said, "We go by the government regulation in the regard."

GOC, Bengal area, Lt Gen A K Choudhury, GoC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt Gen Dalbir Singh were present.