Indian Army and the Ministry of Defence reacted sharply against the claims of activist turned politician Arvind Kejriwal and ex National Security Guard (NSG) Commando Naik Surender Singh that he has not received major portions of his pensions in spite of serving the nation with utmost dedication and getting severely injured while fighting against terrorist in 26/11 Mumbai attack.
The Ministry of Defence in a press release said that commando Surender Singh, who was from 2 Grenadiers, had received bulk of his dues. According to the Ministry, Singh has been paid Provident Fund of Rs 6.48 lakh, group insurance of Rs 1.18 lakh and disability pension of Rs 10 lakh.
Singh would also receive the final statement of accounts of Rs 89,000 and commutation of Rs 9 lakh in a month's time. Singh's monthly pension which should have been around Rs 11,000 has gone up to Rs 25,000 because of his disability. The Ministry also said that the commando never wrote to either AG office or the Army Chief's office.
"Nk Surender Singh has been sanctioned pensionary and terminal benefits viz-a-viz retirement gratuity Rs 2,11,458/-, Commutation of pension Rs 11,35,809/-, Armed Forces PF Rs 6,48,195/-, Army Group Insurance Rs 1,13,849/- and Army Group Disability Cover Rs 10 lakhs, Final settlement of accounts Rs 89,705/- and ex-gratia from welfare fund Rs 10,000/-. He is also entitled to an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 9 lakhs for 100 per cent disability which will be processed separately. He has been sanctioned a pension of Rs.25,254/- per month which includes service elements and war injury elements," the press release said.
Earlier on Thursday in a press conference called by Arvind Kejriwal, the former commando Singh said the following "After getting injured during the 26/11 attacks, I was declared medically unfit and sent back home. However, I don't have any grudge on this, but the problem is that I was deprived of my pension money and also government didn't bear my medical expenses."
Kejriwal called the press conference to show the apathy of government towards the heroes of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, who gallantly fought against Pakistan sponsored LeT terrorists. The matter has got a new momentum as on Wednesday morning Indian government executed lone surviving terrorist Ajmal Kasab in pune's Yerawada jail after four years of the incident which shocked the entire nation.
(Aw-Jyotishman)
