News

Volume 2 Issue 22 - November 15, 2004

War disabled allege discrimination

DNIS News Network - Soldiers disabled in war have been, surprisingly, excluded from free medical treatment under the ECHS.

The government's latest move to exclude soldiers disabled in war from free medical treatment under Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Services Scheme (ECHS) has been decried by Disabled War Veterans (Diwave), an organisation working for soldiers disabled in war.

The members of Diwave have demanded that war disabled should be included along with other groups, like war widows and dependants of unmarried deceased soldiers, in the list of those who get free medical services.

"The denial of this right instils in us a feeling of being used in times of need and discarded when the job is over. It gives a feeling of being unwanted by the same people for whom we have put our lives and limbs at stake," said Capt N.K Mahajan, President of Diwave.

He complained that authorities have not taken any action on this issue even after many requests. He added that if this wrong is not redressed soon, the organisation will resort to demonstrations.