Education Minister promises to look into problems faced by armed forces veteran of the State
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 17 2019: Education Minister paid a visit to the Rajya Sainik Board (RSB) Manipur, located at Lamphel and interacted with representatives of the Ex Servicemen today.

A senior army veteran Lt Gen LN Singh, VSM (Bar), presented an ESM Cap, as a token of gratitude from the Ex Servicemen Association and Community.

A press release issued by the general secretary of Armed Forces Ex Servicemen Association Manipur (AFESAM) explained that RSB, Manipur is an organisation under the State Government, jointly funded by Kendriya Sainik Board (Ministry of Defence) and the State Government.

It is responsible for welfare, care and upliftment of nearly 1 lakh armed forces ex-servicemen and their families in the State.

They form approximately 2 percent of the population of Manipur and they also form a 5-6 percent of the electorate.

The ESMs are spread in both valley districts (30 percent) and in far flung hill districts (70 percent).

In spite of being dispersed to every nook and corner of the State, the ESMs remain one of the unifying communities of the State and they are the most disciplined citizens, highly skilled subjects who need no further costs in training.

Unfortunately, ex-soldiers, airmen and seamen, have not been utilised, but are rather wasted by the Government from time to time.

No State Government officials, Ministers or elected members, have ever visited the RSB premises, since the past one or more decade.

This itself speaks of the indifferent attitude of those in authority and the status of the ex servicemen, it added.

It continued that the Education Minister had a detailed look into the deplorable conditions of the RSB premises and suggested ways and means to improve the same.

He also discussed the problems faced by the ESMs of Manipur and the Rajya Sainik Board and further promised to do everything possible, at his disposal, to improve the conditions and emancipate the status of the ex servicemen.

The Minister also expressed his personal sentiments and association with the armed forces as he considered his Alma Mater Sainik School Imphal in very high esteem, it added.

It further mentioned that the Minister also agreed in principle about the idea of establishing a memorial space for the war veterans of Manipur.

The association continued that a detailed interaction programme with a larger number of armed forces veteran community, is being scheduled in the coming few weeks and added that AFESAM members are elated at the keen interest taken by the Minister and senior veteran Lt Gen L N Singh.

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