Govt looking into grievances of ex-servicemen

NEW DELHI: Government on Tuesday expressed strong displeasure over ex-servicemen taking to streets and holding hunger strikes in various cities across the country to demand better pension for them, saying their grievances were being looked into.

"It is unbecoming on the part of the dignified ex-servicemen to launch hunger strike. I don't think they should do this," Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju told reporters here.

His comments came as retired defence personnel today went on a hunger strike at India Gate here and many other cities to convey their dismay over pensions.

Ex-servicemen are demanding 'one rank one pension' and 30 per cent increase in their pension benefits.

"The government has formed ex-servicemen welfare department. We are looking into all matters. We will see how to improve their facilities," Raju said.

He said Defence Minister A K Antony was seized of the matter and the issue of enhanced pensions was being looked into by the Empowered Group of Secretaries.

Raju said he had addressed many Sainik Board meetings all over the country to tell ex-servicemen that the UPA government was doing everything possible for their welfare.