Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Ex-Servicemen Wing president Gen (retd) J J Singh today asked the Congress government to fill vacancies reserved for ex-servicemen immediately even as he demanded protection of their rank upon their re-appointment in government jobs.In a statement here after addressing the first meeting of the Ex-Servicemen wing in the party office which was attended by senior functionaries from across the State despite inclement weather, Gen (retd) J J Singh said the Congress government should not make excuses for not filling the 13 per cent ex-servicemen quota in government jobs. He said the government should provide skill development to ex-servicemen wherever needed so that ex-servicemen quota is filled appropriately.The Ex Servicemen president said he also got feedback at the meeting that ex-servicemen were not getting rank equivalence when they joined the State police. “We will take up this issue forcefully and get it resolved”. He also said there were complaints from ex-servicemen that corruption had increased tremendously in government offices since the last one year. “We will form a committee to examine this issue”, he added.
Gen J J Singh said there was also a general feeling among ex-servicemen that they were not getting due respect in government offices. “Veterans are not being treated with the respect they deserve. The government should take corrective measures and give appropriate directions to resolve this issue immediately”. He also demanded an increase in compensation to all servicemen who were martyred in the call of duty. “The present compensation being given to their families is very little and needs to the enhanced”, he added.Gen J J Singh disclosed that the ex-servicemen wing would be enlarged soon. “We are starting at the village level and will increase our membership at all levels in the State”, he added.The meeting was attended by a large number of senior functionaries. Former wing president Gurjinder Singh Sidhu, Capt Jarnail Singh Dilajan, Brig J S Randhawa, Col R K Singh, Col Kuldeep Virk, Capt Gurmit Singh Ropar, Capt Multan Singh and Subedars’ Sukhpal Singh, Sarabjit Singh and Gurtej Singh were among those who spoke at the meeting.