Jai Hind! Welcome to ESM Info Club, in todays discussion , it brings you the untold struggles and triumphs of India’s soldiers—on and off the battlefield.
Understanding Disability Pension*
“Disability pension – यह सिर्फ एक आर्थिक सहायता नहीं है, बल्कि एक सैनिक की सेवा और बलिदान का सम्मान है। Indian Army के जवान अक्सर harsh conditions में serve करते हैं — glaciers, deserts, counter-insurgency zones — और इसका असर उनके health पर पड़ता है।
Disability pension का उद्देश्य है – ऐसे injuries या disabilities को recognise करना जो service conditions की वजह से हुई हों। ये दो हिस्सों में दी जाती है:
- Service element* (like pension for years of service)
- Disability element* (based on percentage of disability)”
Current Issues Faced by Disabled Soldiers
आज की तारीख़ में, हजारों disabled ex-servicemen न्याय के लिए भटक रहे हैं। क्यों?
- Rejection of Disability Pension Claims: कई cases में disabilities को ‘not attributable to & Not Aggravated by military service’ declare कर दिया जाता है।
- Downgrading of Disability Percentage by medical boards during retirement.
Litigation-Driven Relief: ज़्यादातर veterans को pension तभी मिलती है जब वे AFT (Armed Forces Tribunal) या High Court का दरवाज़ा खटखटाते हैं।
No automatic grant even when disability is sustained in field areas.
Example: A soldier injured in counter-insurgency operation may be denied pension saying it’s not directly linked to service duties.
Key AFT & Court Cases*
AFT aur High Courts ne kai बार सरकार को फटकार लगाई है. कुछ प्रमुख केस हैं:
1. *Union of India vs. Ex Nk Ram Singh (AFT Principal Bench)*
Court held that once a soldier is declared SHAPE-1 (Fit) at joining and disabled at discharge, disability must be treated as attributable to service.
2. *Dharamvir Singh vs. Union of India (Supreme Court)*
A landmark judgment—SC ruled that presumption must favour the soldier unless proven otherwise.
3. *Narender Kumar vs. UOI (AFT Chandigarh)*
Held that medical board’s conclusion is not final if contrary to ground realities.
But sadly, government often appeals even settled cases, increasing harassment and delay.
Ministry of Defence (MoD) Stand
Ministry of Defence का एक consistent stand रहा है — कि सिर्फ वही injuries disability pension के योग्य हैं जो strictly ‘attributable or aggravated by service’ हों।
हाल ही में MoD ने ये भी कहा कि:
Lifestyle diseases’* (like diabetes, hypertension) will not be accepted unless proven linked to service.
MoD challenges a large number of AFT rulings granting disability pension, instead of accepting or regularising them.
This has led to criticism, especially by *Parliamentary Committees* and *veteran welfare organisations*.
What Needs to Change?
तो रास्ता क्या है?
1.Implement Supreme Court rulings uniformly, without forcing litigation.
2.Revamp Medical Board system to be veteran-friendly and unbiased.
3.Presume service connection unless clearly ruled out.
4.MoD should act as a welfare department*, not as an opposing party to veterans.
Disability is not always visible. But its impact is lifelong.
Voices from the Ground
“मुझे सियाचिन में frostbite हुआ, लेकिन medical board ने कहा – ‘Not attributable’. क्या सियाचिन जाना मेरी choice थी?”
A retired Havildar
5 साल केस लड़ने के बाद pension मिला, लेकिन dignity कहाँ है?
Ex-Naik from Uttarakhand
“हमारे देश के वीर सैनिक अपनी जान की परवाह किए बिना देश की सेवा करते हैं। जब वो बीमार या घायल होकर लौटते हैं, तो उनका हक़ बनता है कि देश उन्हें सम्मान और सुरक्षा दे।
आपके सुझाव, अनुभव और विचार हमसे साझा करें। ये मुद्दा हम सबका है।
