Ex-servicemen are an integral part of society, participating in almost all sectors, from employment to health care. This feature views the latest ex-servicemen news along with new initiatives being implemented to them, their major problems, and social engagements.
Recent Ex-Servicemen Initiatives
Fee Waived by ISB
The Indian School of Business (ISB) offers a complete fee waiver for veterans of the armed forces and serving personnel. The institution strengthens its commitment to those persons who have served this nation on this Armed Forces Flag Day.
Such initiatives are essential for education provision to veterans aspiring to transition their careers into more civilian career lines.
- ISB Fee Waiver to Veterans: The Indian School of Business offers a fee waiver for armed forces veterans and serving personnel. This will coincide with the Armed Forces Flag Day. This move is for the education of individuals who have served in the military.
- Disability Compensation Rules Controversy: Ex-servicemen have voiced their objections against new rules of entitlement to disability compensation that came into effect from September 21, 2023. These explicitly provide the conditions under which death or disability compensation will be awarded to the military, with ex-servicemen expressing their apprehensions over these being just and sufficient.
- Decline in Government Job Recruitment: Statistics before Lok Sabha reveal the fact of a declining trend in recruitment to government jobs by ex-servicemen since 2015. This tally fell drastically from a peak recruitment figure of 10,982 in 2015 to a meagre 2,584 in 2020, raising concerns over employment opportunities for veterans.
- Management Programme for Defence Officers: IIM Kozhikode has begun a management certificate programme especially for defence services officers. Currently, the institution is training its first batch of defence services officers. It will last for six months. The programme will help them build business management acumen.
Management Programmes for Defence Officers
The IIM Kozhikode had recently started its management certificate program for the first batch of Defence Services Officers. This six-month course is aimed at equipping military officers with an appropriate business management level that will help them adjust to their respective civilian jobs. Among the participants are officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force-a prestigious example of how education should strengthen career opportunities among ex-servicemen.
Challenges Confronted by Ex-Servicemen
Government Job Recruitment Trends Decline
It is jarring to see the present government’s trend in hiring ex-servicemen in government jobs. The counts peaked at 10,982 recruits in 2015 and have continuously fallen year by year to merely 2,584 recruits in the year 2020. This fall does call into question the present policies about the reintegration of veterans in the workforce.
Disability Compensation Controversies
Ex-servicemen have voiced strong opposition to new entitlement rules regarding disability compensation for military personnel. These rules, effective from September 21, 2023, outline specific conditions for awarding death or disability compensation. Critics argue that the criteria may unfairly disadvantage some veterans who require support due to service-related injuries.
Community Contributions and Support
Ex-Servicemen Supporting Healthcare Workers
One of the finest examples of community mobilization is ex-servicemen’s effort to aid healthcare workers in time of crisis. Most salutary in the hours of crisis, their support in logistics has eased the burden of medical staff.
Enforcement Roles in Urban Areas
In cities like Delhi, ex-servicemen are employed as law enforcers for participating in some of the measures aimed at planning and managing traffic, such as rationing roads based on odd and even numbers. This employment not only gives them jobs but also utilizes their discipline and training for public service.
Government Policies Concerning Ex-Servicemen
One Rank One Pension (OROP)
The One Rank One Pension continues to be an important demand of most ex-servicemen. OROP demand is founded on the simple principle that personnel, who have served for the same number of years and up to the same rank, should draw equal pensions irrespective of the date of retirement. Protests and discussions over OROP show the growing frustration of the implementation delay and changes in policy.
Health Care Initiatives
However, the ECHS has indeed been enhanced to increase easier access to health facilities for retired defence personnel. Also, latest announcments are inclusion of more hospitals as well as diagnostic centres under the scheme in a bid to expand medical facilities accessible to retired defence personnel and their dependant.
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Conclusion
The scenario for ex-servicemen is characterized by both progress and challenges. For instance, while educational fee waivers and management programs are appreciable positive steps toward ex-servicemen’s integration into civilian life, declining job placements and contentious compensation rules prominently call for attention. Advocacy and support for ex-servicemen need to be continued to ensure them the recognition and resources they are entitled to when they have served their country.
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