Monday, January 18, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
LIFE N NEPAL HUMAN BEINGS.
KATHMANDU — Gurkha veterans in Nepal expressed disappointment Tuesday at a British court's decision to reject a test case seeking equal pension rights for the former soldiers.
"We are saddened by the court's decision," said Mahendra Lal Rai, general secretary of the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organisation.
"We don't understand why we continue to be denied equal pension rights when we have received settlement rights and equal status with the British army."
Those who retired after July 1, 1997 were granted equal pensions in 2007.
But around 24,000 veterans who retired before that date and their dependents receive only a third of what their British counterparts get.
The British government defended the High Court challenge, arguing that Gurkha veterans' pensions are paid over a longer time period than those of their British counterparts.
But S.B. Ghising, secretary of the United British Gurkha Ex-Servicemen's Association in Nepal, said veterans' groups would continue to campaign for equal rights.
"Those who retired before July 1, 1997 include the cream of the Gurkha veterans, winners of the highest military honours," he said. "This issue must be addressed immediately."
In May last year London allowed all Gurkha veterans with at least four years' service to settle in Britain after a high-profile campaign led by the actress Joanna Lumley.
About 200,000 Gurkhas fought for Britain in World War I and World War II, and more than 45,000 have died in British uniform.
Around 3,500 Gurkhas now serve in the British army, including in Afghanistan.
"We are saddened by the court's decision," said Mahendra Lal Rai, general secretary of the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organisation.
"We don't understand why we continue to be denied equal pension rights when we have received settlement rights and equal status with the British army."
Those who retired after July 1, 1997 were granted equal pensions in 2007.
But around 24,000 veterans who retired before that date and their dependents receive only a third of what their British counterparts get.
The British government defended the High Court challenge, arguing that Gurkha veterans' pensions are paid over a longer time period than those of their British counterparts.
But S.B. Ghising, secretary of the United British Gurkha Ex-Servicemen's Association in Nepal, said veterans' groups would continue to campaign for equal rights.
"Those who retired before July 1, 1997 include the cream of the Gurkha veterans, winners of the highest military honours," he said. "This issue must be addressed immediately."
In May last year London allowed all Gurkha veterans with at least four years' service to settle in Britain after a high-profile campaign led by the actress Joanna Lumley.
About 200,000 Gurkhas fought for Britain in World War I and World War II, and more than 45,000 have died in British uniform.
Around 3,500 Gurkhas now serve in the British army, including in Afghanistan.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
