ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL - KOCHI

ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL BRING SOLACE TO SOLDIERS.

Anil S

Express Buzz.

KOCHI: A recent landmark judgment by the Kochi Bench of Armed Forces Tribunal urging the Centre to evolve a scheme for rehabilitating soldiers discharged on mental illness, is sure to have a major impact over the Armed Forces. The order issued last week, had emphasized that a duty is cast upon the government and the Armed Forces to rehabilitate them providing exgratia monthly payment and medical aid for life. The order was issued disposing of the petitions filed by some Army recruits, Navy personnel and an Airmen all discharged on mental illness. Ministry of Defence had rejected their pension claims on the ground that the illness had no connection with service.

It has been pointed out that there are a number of incidents where service personnel are discharged before completing 10 years of service with a stamp of 'mental illness' on the discharge certificate. Usually these people are being discharged saying that they are 'fit for civil jobs.' However, with such a discharge certificate employers do not take a chance and the ex-serviceman is left to the mercy of relatives.

"Usually the Armed Forces argue that the illness is not attributable to his service, but it's constitutional. But the actual reason which triggers the illness could be something related to his family, camp or the hostile climate in which he's working. Hence, the argument that it could not be attributable to service cannot be accepted," sources said.

The order, issued by the Bench comprising Justice K Padmanabhan Nair and Lt General Thomas Mathew, pointed to the need to have a compilation of rules, regulations and executive orders related to entitlement of disability claims.

The Bench observed that it would be unfortunate that a person who has dedicated his life for the country is not getting his due as the applicable rules are not brought to the notice of the court. The Bench proposed to the Ministry and Service Head Quarters to publish the compilation with amendments.

"Directions have been given to issue a copy of the order, running to 112 pages, to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) along with Chiefs of the three Armed Forces for immediate attention and implementation," Justice K Padmanabhan Nair said.

The order will be a great relief for a number for soldiers, opined Col K B R Pillai, who runs the 'Sainikashram' for exservicemen at Kakkanad. "Soldiers are always under tremendous stress and strain due to various reasons.

Being away from family, the climatic conditions, the painful job scenario and the physical strain all these together may create some kind of psychological issues for soldiers. The AFT order would be a relief for such people," he said.