More than half a century after responding to the nation’s calls in the lesson, hundreds of emergency officers (ECO) and short services in charge of officers (SSCOs) are still fighting, not on the battlefield, but in courts, for what they claim to be their right payable: pension.
Fighting
In the forefront of this legal battle is 81 -year -old Captain Maharaj Singh uppal, which was commissioned by September 6, 1970, which served for 10 years in the Indian army. Today the struggle as President All India Short Service entered by officers of the Association of Social Care.
The association attracts members of the army, the Navy and the Air Force. “Some officers fought against the wars of 1965 and 1971,” recalls Captain Uppal.
The legal battle and delay
In 2019, the association filed a petition before the Delhi High Court, which would seek the benefits of pensions for these officers. After staying for seven years, the case was transferred last month to the Tribunal of the Armed Forces (AFT). The Tribunal will explore the question of “maintenance” – whether jurisdiction should hear the case.
“For veterans, many now discouraged in their late 1970s and 1980s, the prolonged legal process was discouraged. Thirty -two retirement officers died while waiting for the final result,” Hindu said.
Octogenier explained that the demand for retirement was following its roots back to the years after the Chinese War of 1962. The government was introduced from 1966 since 1966 from 1966 from 1966.
The possession of the SSCO service was between 5 and 14 years, depending on the extensions provided.
Uneven treatment
In his petition, given through the defense counsel of Pallavi Awasthi, the association pointed out that while permanent authorized officers (PCOS) in the military, Navy and Air Force are covered with pension regulations, there is no such provision for those who served under short services or emergency commissions.
The absence of retirement was defined by their service to the lives of officers. “I was fired after I served for 10 years,” recalls Captain Space and added, “I did two work just to support my children and send them to a good school.”
Other veterans reflect their sense of injustice. Rajinder Singh Litt, entrusted in September 1978 and, after serving for nine years under the short service commission, says: “There should be no artificial classification among officers.”
Younger SSC officers who are preparing for retirement are facing similar uncertainties. 38 -year -old helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force from SSCO, to retire this December, explained: “I just started my relocation. This generally starts within one year before retirement.
His years of service, he adds, did not differ since the years of his counterparts to the Permanent Commission. “I spent almost six years in the northeast and more than three years in the Skammu and Kashmir sector. Therefore, there is no difference between short service and permanent commission.”
Legal argument
Attorney Awasthi pointing to the Army Act said: “Section 2a of the 1950 Army Act includes officers without mentioning the type of commission defined in Section 3 (XVIII).
In addition, Mr Spapal pointed out that since the beginning of 1966, the government had mentioned in recruitment ads that pension benefits for SSCO were “considered”.
Step
Meanwhile, the High Court approved in its judgment on August 25, the court of the armed forces to consider the maintenance of the petition of the association within four weeks.
In the event that the court of the armed forces is of the opinion that the petition is not maintained, the records will be re -transferred to the High Court in order to continue forward to hear this matter.
Published – 14 September 2025 23:02
