Once they shed their defence uniform, ex-servicemen are often faced with the question of what to do next
Once they shed their defence uniform, ex-servicemen are often faced with the question of what to do next. However, the State Department of the Sainik Welfare Board, finds itself helpless due to a lack of support from the state government and a paucity of public donations.
Retired Colonel Suhas Jatkar, Director at the State Department of Sainik Welfare headquarters in Pune, admits the pivotal role that the board plays. "The department acts as a link between the Kendriya Sainik Board, Delhi, the state government and various Zilla Sainik welfare offices in Maharashtra," he said.
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| Indian Army Camel Corps soldiers participate in a rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. PIC/u00a0AFPu00a0PHOTO |
The state of Maharashtra is divided into six divisions consisting of 35 districts. The strength of ex-servicemen is approximately 2,10,000 and the total strength of ex-servicemen, widows and their dependents in the state is 10,00,000. Around 7,000 personnel from the armed forces retire every year, joining the stream of ex-servicemen, explained Colonel Jatkar.
Senior officials from the department added that the soldiers get recruited in the age group of 16 to 19 and spend around 21 years in the forces. They retire between the age of 35 and 45.
The primary task of the department then is to offer counselling. They also ensure that sainiks are
re-employed, and that their children's education is taken care of.
In case of martyred soldiers, the department takes complete care of their families, right from rehabilitation to constructing houses and educating their children.
The department also runs MESCO (Maharashtra Ex-servicemen Corporation Ltd.), which generates employment for retired personnel in security-related jobs.
"We have a disciplined approach and meticulously execute tasks assigned to us. Irrespective of these qualities, we find it difficult to get direct entry into the state police or home ministry forces," said a senior officer.
"Our soldiers may not be good in handling files at police stations but there cannot be any substitute for them in crowd management, riot control and anti-terror operations. Yet the state police ignores a good resource," said 91 year-old Colonel Shankarrao Nikam (Retired), who fought for the British Army.
State Minister for Sainik Welfare, Bhaskar Jadhav, said, "I will appraise the Chief Minister on this issue and ensure that the state government provides every possible assistance."
Minister of State for Home, Satej Patil, said, "I will have to check the rule books for police recruitment before I can I make a statement on this issue."
