Maharashtra government waives property tax for gallantry award winners

The Maharashtra government has waived property tax for gallantry award winners.

Shamlal Goyal, Principal Secretary to Government of Maharashtra, said on Thursday morning at a event in Pune, "The government is committed for welfare of the ex-service men and whenever any suggestion will come in this regard the government will positively consider the same."

On Thursday, the inauguration of 2-day 139th Defence Pension Adalat was organized in Pune in the Dhanvantri Auditorium, Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) Pune, for redressal of grievances of Defence Pensioners, including Defence Civilians residing in the state of Maharashtra.

The Adalat was organized by PCDA (Pensions), Allahabad under the aegis of the Controller General of Defence Accounts, New Delhi in consultation with the Ministry of Defence. The Adalat was inaugurated by Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, GOC-in C, Southern Command, Pune.

The dignitaries present on the occasion were Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma, Adjutant General, Lt Gen A.K.Nagpal Commandant, AFMC, Shamlal Goyal, IAS, Principal Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, Dr. G. D. Pungle, IDAS, PCDA (Pensions), M A Lincoln, IDAS PCDA(O), Avinash Dixit, IDAS PCDA(SC), K. Damayanti, Jt. Secretary (ESW), MoD, Shri Suchindra Misra, IDAS, IFA (SC), Richa Misra, IDAS, CDA (Training) & Director, NADFM, Col (Retd) Suhas Jatkar, Director Sainik Welfare, Maharashtra and officials from the three Service HQrs, Defence Accounts Department, Public Sector Banks, and other civil executive authorities.

Dr G D Pungle, PCDA (Pensions), Allahabad highlighted various projects being implemented for providing improved services to the pensioners. He said that now any pensioner across the country can call on toll free No.1800-180-5325 and seek clarification or register the pension related problem for speedy disposal.

Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma -- Adjutant General -- spoke about the initiative taken by AG Branch in order to redress pensioner's issues. He appreciated the efforts of DAD in faster implementation of OROP. He also appealed to all pensioners to register their Adhar number and mobile number with their pension disbursement agency. This would facilitate banks to inform the details of pension being paid by the agency.

Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, GOC-in C, Southern Command, Pune, in his inaugural address paid rich tributes to service rendered by ex-service men during their active service. He lauded various efforts being made by PCDA (P), particularly the initiative of e-Pension Adalat, which was launched during the Adalat, for increasing the satisfaction level among ex-service men. He advised all veterans to take fullest benefit of the Adalat.

The Adalat received an overwhelming response from the Ex-Servicemen. Over 900 cases were received during the first day of the Adalat. Most of the cases related to pensioners queries regarding correctness of the pension payment being received by them and with the availability of the database brought for the e-adalat, these cases are likely to be settled during the course of the Adalat itself some more cases are expected to come up during the second day of the Adalat tomorrow.

This Defence Pension Adalat was 139th Defence Pension Adalat being organized in the country, and is the 11th Pension Adalat in the State of Maharashtra since its inception in 1987.

Further, a mobile pension camp will also be held at Satara on April 9 at Sainik School. All pensioners having pension related problems are advised to attend the camp with all their supporting documents.