Pune's ex-servicemen dissatisfied by Budget

The 17% hike in allocation for the sector in the central budget compared to last year fails to get the thumbs up from the former defence officials in Pune.

Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) Maharashtra convenor Ravindra Pathak said that the increase does not meet the demands of the services facing the high inflation rate. “The budget does not promise anything for ex-servicemen.

There should have been allocations for carrying out welfare activities like one-pay, accommodation, etc. which the budget does not promise,” he said.

Col (retd) Suresh Pathak said that though the budget allocations promise purchase of various weapons and machineries, it fails to satisfy the men behind these weapons.

Group Captain, Indian Air Force (retd) SS Phathak said, “The budget plans to buy 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), 145 Ultra Light Howitzers, 197 Light Utility Helicopters for the three services. The cost of one MMRCA is nearly 90 million USD. Hence, the allocation seems to fall short.”