Ex-servicemen in the British Army have warned that they would continue movement demanding equal facilities to those who retired before 1997 after the House of Commons on Thursday announced that Gurkha soldiers who had joined the British army after July 1, 1997 would get pension equal to their British counterparts.

Though the ex-servicemen welcomed the announcemtn of the British parliament, they expressed dissatisfaction over the cut-off date.

President of Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation (GAESO), one of the major organisations fighting for the welfare of the ex-Gurkha soldiers, Padam Bahadur Gurung, termed it a victory of the Gurkha soldiers.

However, he said the announcement was biased against the soldiers applying the cut-off date of July 1, 1997, according to reports.

“The dedication and loyalty of Nepali soldiers to the British Crown has been unquestionable all through history, but the issues of the Gurkhas who joined before 1997 have been ignored,” he added.

According to him, this announcement will benefit about 600 soldiers, excluding 40,000 pensioners who retired before the cut-off date.

Gurung said the GAESO would continue to fight for equal pension and perks as their UK counterparts.

“The British government should justify the reasons to exclude the soldiers who retired before 1997,” he questioned.

Likewise, Prem Rai of United British Gurkhas Ex-Servicemen’s Association Nepal said that the organisation will continue protests for equal benefit to all ex-Gurkhas.

Another organization of Gurkha Soldiers, British Gurkhas Welfare Society (BGWS) also said that the announcement is partial victory of the ex-soldiers as it failed to address all their demands.

Chairman of the BGWS, Tikendra Dal Dewan said that they will continue their movement as the announcement failed to incorporate Gurkha soldiers who retired before 1997.