Issues concerning ex-servicemen of Nagaland

Dear Sir,
Apropos the news article in your esteemed daily regarding the 24th Annual Meeting of the Nagaland Rajya Sainik Board held on 31 Aug 26. After reading the news report it appears that the meeting was held only as a ritual; (the 24th Annual Meeting in almost 63 years since the state has been in existence). Most of the issues discussed during the meeting have existed for decades without any tangible move forward. A memorandum on almost all the agenda points had been submitted nearly a year ago to the GOC 3 Corps in October 2025 by the Nagaland Ex-Servicemen League for onward submission to the state government for redressal.
The Reservation policy of Jobs for Ex-servicemen in the state government was laid down in 1994 however the same has not being uniformly implemented. The demand for appointment of a Zila Sainik Adhikari at Tuensang has existed since decades but had been turned down on grounds of inadequate Ex-servicemen residing in the district. The existing Zila Sainik Adhikari Offices are already understaffed due to which progress on Ex-servicemen problems is tardy. However, appointment of Zila Sainik Adhikari at Mon and Tuensang is a welcome step and would provide succour to the Ex-servicemen residing in the remote districts of Eastern Nagaland who have to travel long distances to settle their problems.
Empanelment of Hospitals in Nagaland by ECHS is a dire necessity as the beneficiaries have to travel to Assam to avail medical treatment. The monetary allowances in Nagaland for recipients of Gallantry Awards are one of the lowest in the country and need upward revision. There are numerous recipients of gallantry awards in Nagaland, the notable being Captain N Kenugruse and Subedar Imliakum Ao who have been awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest gallantry award.
It is expected that the state government will act expeditiously and positively on all the agenda points for the welfare of Ex-servicemen of Nagaland which is not only its duty but its moral obligation to its soldiers who have sacrificed tremendously in guarding our country.
Colonel Prakash Bhatt (Retd)
Noida
(The letter is in the personal capacity of the Veteran who has served extensively in Nagaland)