Jaipur: Sepoy Balwant Singh, a 97-year-old World War II veteran from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, won a long personal battle on Tuesday when a military court allowed him to retire government war disability which was rejected to him for the past five decades.
He lost his left leg in a land explosion while fighting with an Indian contingent for allied forces in Italy on December 15, 1944, and was sent back two years later at the basic retirement provided for the army to hurt the war.
Singh, registered in 3/1 Punjab Regiment in 1943 and was transferred to Rajputana Rifles after returning from WWII, has submitted a pension introduced by the government in 1972, guaranteeing “100% of the last salary drawn” to the Indian army who was dismissed from the service Because of wounds in various wars since independence.
However, soldiers who lost their limbs or disabled for life in two world wars were excluded from this pension scheme.
More than 2.5 million Indians fought in WWII only.
A new Delhi bench from the armed court – took over the case of the Jaipur unit who heard it since 2010 – governing for nonagenarian soldiers on Tuesday.
Administrative Members from Chennai said Singh would get 100% retirement from 2008 along with arrears, which before three years before he filed this case.
The advice of Singh Col (retired) S B Singh said Veteran WWII and his family were happy with the news.
“Balwant Singh’s disability was 100% because he lost his left foot.
We are happy that he has at least some contributions rejected to him.” Singh served in pre-independence force for three years, two months and 16 days before he retired before he lost his legs .
His son Subhash Singh said he was happy with the tribunal decision, but the family could be done better if the developed country to help him.
“We live in a village and don’t know anything about retirement for the wounded battle.
We came to know it only after the Cargil War (summer 1999),” he said.