Army will apply for disability pension for cadets disabled during training

The efforts of the Mysuru-based VeKare Ex Servicemen’s Trust (VKET) to guarantee disability pension and other facilities under the Contributory Health Scheme for Former Servicemen (ECHS) to gentlemen cadets disabled during military training appear to have progressed, the Indian army taking the matter in hand with the Ministry of Defense (MoD).

VKET President Mandetira Nanaiah Subramani received a letter dated January 4, 2022 from the Adjutant General, IHQ branch of the Ministry of Defense (Army), stating that a case has been dealt with with the Ministry of Defense. Defense following his letter on the officer cadets, who are “left behind” after being invalidated and sent home due to injuries sustained during “dangerous and difficult” military training at the Academy of National Defense (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officer Training Academy (OTA).

The VKET had seriously objected to the “lousy” treatment of the unfortunate Gentlemen, the Cadets who are disabled and sent home with an ex gratia award, but have been denied disability pension and other benefits. the ECHS.

The letter stated that the ECHS membership terms met the dual criteria of being a former military and retired Defense Auditor (CDA). Stressing that the granting of ex-gratia to former cadets does not fall under the definition of pension, the letter specifies that the ECHS facility cannot be extended to gentlemen cadets since cadets are not no ex-servicemen and only receive ex gratia disability pay and no CDA defense pension.

“… A case has been brought before the Ministry of Defense to award a disability pension to interned cadets due to a disability during training which is attributable / aggravated by military training. If the above proposal is accepted, cadets with disabilities could be granted a disability pension and therefore could be elected to ESM status and ECHS facilities, ”the military letter states.

Earlier, in a letter to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh dated December 1, 2021, Mr. Subramani said gentlemen cadets should be given a minimum pension equivalent to that of ex-recruits (who do not belong not to the rank of officer) after their cancellation. as a result of injuries sustained during training.

He pointed out that ex-recruits were also not covered by the definition of ex-military and, therefore, were not eligible for medical care in ECHS and CSD canteens until their organization took action. triques on their behalf.