Excerpts from an interview with Col. (retd.) HN Handa, President, Disabled War Veterans (India).

What do you feel about the treatment meted out to disabled soldiers?

Civility combined with diplomacy in dealing with the ministry of defence (MOD) and the Army Headquarters, rather than threats and abuses or seeking redressal through courts, has gained considerable sympathy for the disabled in the past two years. Subrata Chatterjee, secretary (ESW) and Gen (retd.) V K Singh, besides Lt Gen J P Nehra, the Adjutant General, have lent their authority to alleviate issues related to the disabled. Unfortunately record officers of various regiments have not dealt with the subject of disabled soldiers in their regiments. Civil servants, working under the same dispensation, benefit from the largesse much more than their army counterparts, the latter having become casualties in war or warlike situations. In some cases, the regiments have indicated their reluctance to cater for the disabled or ex-servicemen of their regiments.

How do civil servants benefit more in case of disability?
Two examples. The civilian counterparts' assessment of the degree of disability is based on the Disabilities Act which is far more liberal than the guide to medical officers who assess medical disability. A below knee amputee would be assessed in military hospitals as 60 per cent disabled whereas the same disability is assessed as 70 per cent in civilian hospitals. While their civilian counterparts have been beneficiaries of broad banding and pay parity with effect from pre-1996, the case of the armed forces is still pending for approval in MOD. Also, whereas disabled officers do avail of services required in a proper manner as they have been granted priority in medical treatment both in the ECHS medical centres and hospitals, most persons below officer rank are not aware of these  facilities. A proposal was put before Gen (retd.) V K Singh and Lt Gen J P Nehra that regiment centres should have designated areas where their teams could listen to the issues of the disabled and other veterans. We are glad that it has been accepted, even though we have a long way to go. For every casualty, the regiment publishes a Part II order which makes it mandatory for disbursing authorities to regulate the disabled's pay and allowances or pension. Cases have come to light where disabled soldiers have been trying to obtain their just dues for over a decade and there is no one to hear their woes.

What special care does a disabled soldier need?
The disabled soldier requires facilities of medical cover nearest to their homes besides obtaining their just entitlements. We cannot understand as to how the medical directorate has been made responsible for rehabilitation, a responsibility that is not a part of medical prognoses. For example, replacing a knee or placing a stent is covered under medical rules but fitting of a prosthesis is not part of an orthopedic surgeons responsibility. There are prosthetic engineers whose responsibility it is to advise surgeons on the type of stump and fitting. The disabled soldier has to travel to ALC Pune for fitting/refitting of the prosthesis. So, he does not get modern prosthesis even though it has been recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission.

Have you apprised the MoD and the army headquarters?
They have been apprised and as mentioned above, improvements and facilities are being made to render their lives more comfortable. It is a long road. The demands and requests are not unreasonable. We have demanded nothing new. Another issue is that the persons below the rank of officers are not aware as to who or which authority will redress their complaints/issues.

To sum up, what are the key problems at hand?
The main problems are correct interpretation of monetary entitlements and the automatic updating of these when changes occur. The disbursing banks need to be more sympathetic and not hold up their entitlements and pension on flimsy grounds over considerable periods of time. Bank CEO’s, especially those of SBI, Syndicate Bank and others should render proper assistance. They receive a commission for each account but do not render services, especially to persons below officer’s rank. Proper medical attention/replacement/fitting prosthesis nearest their places of residence/work is a must.