Sep Sadhu Singh Tiwana Gets Disability Pension After 54 Yrs.

Lt Col SS Sohi, Mob: 9815107744. President,

Ex-Servicemen Grievances Cell (Regd). Mohali

Dear Veterans,

1. We feel satisfied in sharing with you that one of our Sepoy Sadhu Singh Tiwana (84 yrs) Mob: 9815928798, Vill Rupalheri (Chunni) Fatehgarh Sahib (Pb), got his due Disability Pension after 54 year’s long battle. He had joined Army, (No 6576106, Driver in Army Supply Corps) ASC on 8/5/1950 and was medically boarded out of service on 27/12/61 after 11 & half year’s of service. He got some cold injuries in his both feet while serving at Kargil hills. He was recommended for Dis Pen which was rejected by the CDA, saying that he was flat footed, for which Army was not responsible. His 2^nd appeal was also rejected. He joined Boarder Roads service later on.

2. We (NGO) took up case of Sep Sadhu Singh Tiwana (an illiterate, simple ex-Soldier of remote area) in 2010 on the plea, that he was medically fit when he joined the Army, 11 & half years back. How come now he was declared flat footed at this belated stage, at mid of his pension able service? But the case was again rejected by the Army, thus deprived him of his Dis Pen & free medical care all these difficult days.

3. Our NGO again took up case with AFT (Armed Forces Tribunal) Chandigarh for justice through our Advocate WO SN Ojha in Jul 2011 case no OA 871/2011, which was decided in our favour for Dis Pen to Sep Sadhu Singh Tiwana on 27/3/12, with 10% interest within three months. But Army authorities kept on lingering & forced us for lot of reminders & notice for its execution (contempt case No 5030/2013) on 21/5/13. On this, Min of Defence (MOD) filed appeal (No 30968/ 2014) against us in the Supreme Court, which was rejected but Army kept the Court in dark for long. On this AFT Chandigarh fined Rs 5000/- on Army Oi/c Records on 6/2/15 and also issued a show cause notice for legal action. Now, Oi/c Records ASC was cornered to allow Disability Pension on 28/9/15.

4. It is worth noting that, as on today, there are about 8000 such AFT/ Court decision cases lying pending with MOD for implementation, due to anti soldiers attitudes of Babus. Justice is being delayed/ denied to Defence people. Thank God, Sep Tiwana has been lucky & awarded Dis Pen vide PPO No D/0095/15 dt 1/12/15, @Rs 4145/-pm, with 10% interest +DA, with back dated arrears wef 5/7/2008. Thus he shall be now getting arrears of Rs 6-7 Lakhs. Sep Tiwana, who had suffered medical expenses loss (Being Non Pensioner) on his heart treatment of Pace maker & Back pain life long medical expenses. Being above 80 yrs of age he shall get 20% & at 85 yrs 40% additional Pension also. Now he can live remaining old age with grace & dignity.     

Samuel's Comment :

It's a shame that Mil Records, deny their own soldiers their dues by  repeatedly defying Court orders.