JKESL holds Annual General Body Meeting (AGM)-sends strong message to govt

'JKESL holds Annual General Body Meeting (AGM)-sends strong message to govt'

JKESL HOLDS AGM -  SENDS STRONG MESSAGE TO GOVT 

1.The Jammu & Kashmir Ex-Services League (JKESL) held its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) today at Trikuta Yatri Niwas, Ambphalla Jammu under the chairmanship of its President Lt Gen Rakesh Kumar Sharma, AVSM, SM (Retd). The Meeting was attended by District & Tehsil Presidents from both Jammu & Kashmir Region.  Col Rajinder Singh, Gen Secy, Lt Col O.S Chauhan, Secy , Col KS Jamwal, Col Virendra Sahi,VrC, Col Qureshi, Lt Col CL Bangotra,Maj Bodh Raj and numeous other officers attended the meeting.
2.JKESL is the biggest, oldest and Govt recognised body since 1951 which is engaged in the welfare of the Veterans, Veer Naris and serving soldiers of J&K. Brig Ghansara Singh, RB, OBE, OBI was the founder of this organisation in 1951. It has more than 22,000 members as on date.
3.The members highlighted their major demands including completion of the Housing Colonies for ESM at Jammu & Samba, a new Sainik Colony in Srinagar, 15% reservation for Re-employment for ESM, revision of cash awards &  annuity to the Award Winners at par with neighbouring States, 100% pension to widows of handicapped & war wounded, revival of Sainik Co-operative Vanaspati of Ex-servicemen and expeditious renewal/issue of Arms licences for Ex-servicemen.
4.JKESL President apprised the Veteran members that JKESL delegation met the Hon’ble LG on 07 Jan 2023 at Raj Bhawan and projected him the Memorandum of Demands related to the welfare of Ex-Servicemen, Veer Naris and serving soldiers. So far only two demands have been implemented for which all Veterans & Veer Naris of J&K are grateful to the  LG. JKESL urged Hon'ble LG Shri Manoj Sinha to implement the remaining demands on priority so that morale of the Ex-Servicemen is boosted up.
5. The Ex-Servicemen were also informed about the various initiative being under taken by the JKESL for the welfare and economic upliftment of the veterans of the J&K State. These measures include establishment of Ex-Servicemen Corporation Ltd (JKESCO), commencement of free ambulance service by JKESL in Jammu , maintaining data bank of volunteer blood donors in each District / Tehsil, visiting martyr families to make them aware of their entitlements, attending cremations of Ex-Servicemen by the JKESL members, expansion of JKESL membership in the Kashmir valley, Govt land for construction of JKESL office Complex, hiring of best of the Advocates to resolve land issues of the sainik colonies, DO Letter to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of J&K for speedy hearing of the land cases.
5. Recently few more demands have been projected to the LG.
JKESL Fraternity urged LG for following demands.. 
 *Arms Licences of ESM - no action has been taken on orders of LG Adm for renewal of licences by DCs. Instead DC Jammu has asked arms to be deposited. This order should be cancelled. Not only Online but those licences which could not be brought on online mode due to inept initiatives of Administration should also be renewed otherwise security in remote areas will be affected.
* Sainik Colonies - these are held up for last 20 yeras due to Govt apathy. Need to expedite Judicial & Revenue process as committed by Govt in writing in 1999.
* J&K Sainik Corporation - Due to non existance of Sainik Corporation in J&K , vacancies of our ESM are going to other states. Case has been projected to Chief Secy & explained to Home Deptt by the President.  It needs to be given Top Priority. 
* Sainik Vanaspati - The flagship Factory of War Widows needs to be revived.
* Extension of Privileges to ESM of J&K which exist in other States - 
 These include Provision of Allotment of Plots ‘Free of Cost’ to the Gallantry Award Winners like Rajasthan, Exemption of Property Tax to ESM like Gujarat, Exemption of Stamp Duty on properties up to 20 Lakhs to ESM like Uttar Pradesh, Awarding of Degree of Graduation (Defence & Strategic Studies) to ESM & Enhancement of Cash Grants to Gallantry Awards/Distinguished Services Medals. 

6.Lt Gen Rakesh Kumar Sharma, AVSM, SM (Retd) President JKESL urged the veterans community to come together under one umbrella irrespective of the differences if any and strengthen the hands of JKESL to take up issues with the present day Govt. in a more progressive manner. A strong message from veteran community to the Govt to end discriminatory policies against the Ex-Servicemen and implement welfare schemes akin to other States of India for the Ex-Servicemen. 
7. Veteran Soldiers said that the political parties follow a policy of 'Use & Throw' for ESM. They demanded that their community should also be given adequate representation like 1-2% quota in Sarpanches, BDC & DDC elections. Also minimum on MLA each from Jammu & Kashmir Region. Failing above they will not support any party and maybe compelled to open a separate "FAUJI FRONT".