Ex-Servicemen League Nagaland raises veterans’ welfare concerns

DIMAPUR — The office bearers of the Ex-Servicemen League Nagaland (ESMLN), led by its president, Maj. Vikuto Asumi (retd.), called on Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, AVSM, YSM, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Corps, at Rangapahar Military Station on October 3.

According to an update, during the meeting, the delegation highlighted several pressing issues concerning the welfare of ex-servicemen in Nagaland.

A major concern raised was the acute shortage of officers and other ranks of office staff in the Rajya Sainik Board (RSB) and the Zila Sainik Board (ZSB) across all districts. This shortage, they noted, was due to legal complications arising from unethical backdoor appointments, manipulations by the state Home department, and delays in the interview process despite vacancies being advertised in the local print media in January 2025.

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The delegation pointed out that the present office staff is functioning with less than 40% of its authorised strength, with mostly overaged employees, and urged for the expeditious filling of vacancies to ensure efficient departmental functioning.

The delegation also emphasised the need to implement the 5% job reservation for indigenous ex-servicemen in state government departments as per central and state government policies. Citing examples from other states, the ESMLN requested the GOC to take up the matter with the government of Nagaland for the adoption of a similar reservation policy in favour of ex-servicemen.

Another concern raised was the non-empanelment of adequate local private hospitals under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), which compels veterans to travel to neighbouring states for better medical facilities. The office bearers appealed for intervention to expedite the empanelment of hospitals within Nagaland.

The ESMLN further expressed concern over the non-conduct of the annual Rajya Sainik Board meeting, which is required to be held under the chairmanship of the Governor of Nagaland, with participation from representatives of the RSB, ex-servicemen, defence officials, and the state chief minister.

The delegation noted that these meetings have not been conducted for several years, resulting in delays in important policy decisions affecting veterans.

Additionally, the delegation requested that a special recruitment rally be conducted in Nagaland exclusively for indigenous youth to serve in the Naga and Assam regiments, thereby strengthening local representation in the armed forces.

The ESMLN also raised the issue of harassment of ex-servicemen entrepreneurs through multiple illegal taxations by different underground groups, who employ overground civilian individuals and association leaders to extort money on their behalf, turning it into an organised crime with alleged involvement of both government and non-government stakeholders.

The GOC gave the delegation a patient hearing and engaged in a positive, collaborative discussion. He offered valuable suggestions and assured that the issues raised would be taken up with the appropriate higher authorities for necessary consideration.