Kathmandu, Apr. 24: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development Ramchandra Poudel says His Majesty’s Government has given top priority to resolution of ex-servicemen’s problems and is therefore committed to extending all possible assistance to resolve them.
Deputy Prime Minister Poudel was speaking at the concluding function of a two-day workshop on “Servicemen’s contributions to nation-building and organisational expansion of ex-servicemen’s organisation” held here today by Nepal Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation central working committee.
“Efforts are underway through diplomatic channels to resolve ex-servicemen’s various problems including pension hike,” he pointed out, saying “the present Nepali Congress government has a positive approach on ex-servicemen’s demands.”
Stressing the need for proper utilisation of the Ex-servicemen’s Welfare Fund, Deputy Prime Minister Poudel suggested that the fund should be used on health, education and other fields.
One should exercise one’s democratic rights to put forth one views and demands in a polite and disciplined manner and shun any activity that would mar mutual relationship, he advised.
The establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives had been a bulwark to pushing ahead the co-operative movement, he said, adding that this would facilitate the fulfilment of the ex-servicemen’s organisation’s demand for a co-operative centre.
“It is democracy that invests all power in the people and makes them sovereign,” he said, stressing that ex-servicemen, awakened segment of the society and the government should go hand in hand to counter the acts of violence of the so called Maoist who were out to undermine democracy.
He also advised the ex-servicemen to utilise their knowledge and skill in nation-building.
Central chairman of the organisation major Dipak Bahadur Gurung presided over the programme.
Representatives of the ex-servicemen who served in the Royal Nepalese Army, British Gorkha and Indian Army presented their problems and ways of resolving them.