Govt to carry out reforms in defence procurement: President

The armed forces are facing shortage of over 14,000 officers and their operations suffer due to this shortage.  The President said the government “will do everything to repay the debt of our brave and selfless soldiers.

It will appoint a Veterans Commission to address their grievances, so that they know that we don't stop caring for them when they retire from active service.”

“The government will build a National War Memorial to honour the gallantry of our soldiers. One Rank, One Pension scheme will be implemented,” he said.  

The issue of building a war memorial in the India Gate complex in New Delhi has been stuck for several years now with the Delhi government also raising objections over it.  

The One Rank One Pension issue is an old demand of veterans who have been seeking equal pension for defence personnel having retired from same rank and after putting in equal length of service irrespective of the time of their retirement.

At present, personnel who retired before the 6th Pay Commission was implemented on January 1, 2006 get lesser pension than those who retired after that.