MT News Service
Jammu, January 2:
Colonel SS Pathania, President Sainik Samaj Party, congratuleted Union government for, highest ever collection of GST ,amounting to rs 1.15 lac crores for month of December 2020.This recovery is a clear indication, of economy coming back on tracks, and it will further improve manifold with covid 19 on its last leg and an early role out of covid vaccine .A freeze was applied on DA of pensioner and serving soldiers  from Jan 19 to June 20 to save the fragile and deteriorating economy,accentuated due to covid 19.More than 94 percent soldiers below officer rank and about 90 percent draws a pension of less than rs 15000/ per month. A pensioner, out of service at young age of 36 yrs, makes an exit due the service conditions. He has to fullfil his obligations of social, religious and educating his 2 to 3 children, with a meagre pension of Rs 15000/ per month. His expenditure will rise rapidly due to inflation and higher cost of education, as children are growing. Normal hike of approximately 10 percent increase in form of DA, was of great use and relevance. Veterans accepted the decision of government, realizing the gravity of economical crisis and raised no eyebrows. However, now when the process of economical recovery has started, it is pertinent for union government to immediately de freeze the DA being given to pensioners and serving soldiers .Pathania said, that he appreciates the government’s decision of releasing rs 18000 crores to the farmers. How ever ,in similar manner, government must acknowledge the grit and determination of soldiers, braving the enemy and very hostile weather on the icey heights of above 16000 feet, in the temperature dipping to about minus 40 degrees. As a token of  gratitude and appreciation of bravehearts soldiers of Armed Forces, defending our frontiers and soverginty of nation, government must act immediately on de freezing of DA to veterans and serving soldiers. This will go a long way in boosting the morale and motivation of serving soldiers as well as veterans, and also give the appropriate message to the people of nation .
