Mysore/Mysuru: The Akhila Karnataka Ex-Servicemen Association has urged the Government to distribute 5,000 acres of land earmarked  near Rathnapuri in Hunsur taluk to all Ex-Servicemen.

Addressing a press meet here on Monday, Association’s State President Dr. N.K. Shivanna said that a padayatra will be taken out from Mysuru to Rathnapuri in Hunsur taluk in order to press the Government for distribution of the said land. 

Pointing out that the Government had reserved 5,000 acres of land near Rathnapuri in 1969 for distribution among Ex-Servicemen, Dr. Shivanna said that there are over 4,000 Ex-Servicemen in Mysuru district and the Government should take immediate measures for land distribution.

Blaming the State Government of neglecting Ex-Servicemen, he opposed the Government’s decision to extend the transfer period of Ex-Servicemen serving in Police Department from the present three years to seven years, as this move would deprive them of staying with their family. He also urged the Government to announce a reservation quota for Ex-Servicemen at all levels of elections.

Noting that 60 Ex-Servicemen are serving in the Security section of CFTRI in Mysuru, Dr. Shivanna alleged that each Ex-Servicemen who was being paid monthly wages of Rs.26,000 under DGR payment system earlier, are now being paid only Rs.18,000 as  Security services have been outsourced. Urging the Government to revert back to DGR payment system, he warned of  an agitation if the Government failed to do so.

Association’s District Unit President K.P. Diwakar, in his address, said that the State Government has sanctioned Rs.1.46 crore for building War Memorial near the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in the city, out of which Rs.50 lakh has already been released. But there seems to be no development regarding construction activities at the site, he maintained. He also urged for hiking Ex-Servicemen reservation quota in Government jobs from the existing 10 percent to 20 percent.