Ex-servicemen in Ambala Cantt raise questions over obstructions in ECHS

The annual general body meeting of the National Ex-Servicemen (Army Postal Service) Welfare Association was held in Ambala Cantonment on Sunday. The meeting was chaired by Ex-Subedar Major Des Raj Sharma and attended by approximately 100 members of the association from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.

Ex-Subedar Atma Singh, General Secretary of the association, said that the meeting discussed various issues related to the welfare of the members and the progress made over the past year in the pending court cases against the central government. He said that the government does not provide benefits without filing a court case. As a result, ex-servicemen are forced to file unnecessary cases in court to obtain their rights.

The General Secretary stated that the widows of Army Postal Service (APS) soldiers are neither being issued smart cards to purchase goods from Army canteens (CSD canteens), nor are they being provided treatment under the ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme). He added that APS ex-servicemen are also facing difficulties in accessing ECHS benefits. The argument being made is that APS ex-servicemen are receiving pensions through the Civil Estimate, and therefore cannot be provided these benefits, whereas APS ex-servicemen enjoy full ex-servicemen status.

Singh stated, “The government should meet all demands and provide all benefits to ex-servicemen. It has been decided to pursue pending court cases and ensure that all ex-servicemen receive all benefits.”