Ex Servicemen Affairs

General Meeting of Ex Servicemen, Tippera, Held at Comilla – 3-6 57

A general meeting of the Ex-servicemen, Tippera, was held on 3.6, 57, at Comilla. Major A. Ghani, General Secretary, Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association presided.

Major Ghani in his presidential address emphasised the necessity of rehabilitation and resettlement of Ex-servicemen which has got direct baring upon the efficiency and morale of the fighting forces. Unless the welfare of the Ex-servicemen and their families is looked after by the Govt., right type of youths will hesitate to join the forces. The Provincial Govt. of East Pakistan has done nothing until now to implement any scheme and to utilise the Post War reconstruction Fund amounting to Rupees fifty-two lakhs, neither has any scheme to re-settle the Ex-servicemen on land. On the other hand Govt. of West Pakistan has fully utilised their share of Post War Reconstruction Fund by setting up a Fouzi Textile Mills from where they are in a position to distribute about Rupees ten lakhs in the shape of stipends and scholarships for the children of Ex-servicemen, per year. They have also employed a large number of Ex-servicemen in Govt. offices, Mills and Factories. Few thousands of Ex- servicemen also been settled in Thall Project' under Land Colonisation Scheme. West Pakistan Govt have got few other projects for re-settlement of Ex-servicemen.

Major Ghani appealed to the Ex-servicemen of East Pakistan to organise themselves to put up their legitimate grievances and demands to the Govt.

The following office bearers were elected to organise Ex-service men Association for

Tippera District.

The following resolutions were passed in the meeting

1.       “Resolved that the -Post War Reconstruction Fund amounting to Rupees fifty two lakhs , share of Ex-servicemen of East Pakistan, be fully utilised by setting up industries in different places in East Pakistan, under the control of G.Hq Rawalpindi in the similar manner as done in ‘West Pakistan..”

2.       "Resolved that 25% of the vacancies both for Central and Provincial services for all grade, should be kept reserved for Ex-servicemen."

3.       "Resolved that Ex-servicemen and their direct dependants should be supplied with modified ration in the rural areas in view of the present food crisis."

4.       "Resolved that Govt. should grant stipends and scholarships, in sufficient numbers to the Ex-servicemen and provide facilities for General Education to their children."

5.       "Resolved that relaxation of age and educational qualifications should be considered and army services should be counted at the time of their appointment."

6.       "Resolved that Provincial Govt. should immediately make Military training compulsory to all University students and a Junior Cadet Corps be organised in each of the Govt. aided High Schools, throughout the province."

7.       "Resolved that all able-bodied Ex-servicemen should be recruited in Police, E. P. R, Forest Dept., Customs and Railway Watch and Ward Dept. etc."

8.       "Resolved that all Ex-servicemen who are serving the Govt. in various branches on temporary basis, their Military Service should be counted and they should not be retrenched on the ground of being 'junior in service'.

9.       This meeting urges upon the Central Govt, to raise a few Territorial Units of Infantry and other branches, with able bodied Ex-servicemen and further resolved that Defence Industry be set up in East Pakistan, to meet the requirements of troops stationed here. The meeting further resolved that, Women Volunteer Corps, be organised throughout the whole province to train the ladies in nursing, first-aid & self-defence etc.