The Paramilitary Retired Soldiers’ Union of Kodagu District recently met Madikeri Constituency MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda at the Kushalnagar Municipal Office and submitted a detailed appeal.
For the last 13 years, the Union’s office has been functioning from a private building in Mahadevapete, Madikeri, for which an annual rent of 50,000 is being paid.
There are nearly 4,000 serving and retired paramilitary personnel in the district. The Union explained that many retired soldiers are elderly, and some have passed away due to age-related issues. In several cases, the Union has been unable to extend death benefits owing to limited resources.
Therefore, the Union requested the government to allot 60 cents of land in Survey No. 11/01 at Mullusoge, Kushalnagar, to the Paramilitary Soldiers’ Union, along with financial support to construct a dedicated office building.
They noted that owning a permanent building would save the annual rent expenditure, which could then be utilized to support the families of former soldiers. The Union appealed to the MLA to ensure the land is sanctioned and a building is constructed at the earliest.
Responding to the appeal, MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda stated that it is the responsibility of both the government and society to safeguard the welfare of soldiers who have served the nation. He assured the members that he would make sincere efforts to fulfil their demands.
The MLA also instructed Pramod, Chairman of the Kushalnagar Urban Development Authority, to look into the matter.
Former soldier Dinesh Kumar, speaking on the occasion, said that failure to meet the needs of retired soldiers may discourage today’s youth from joining the armed forces. He urged the government to fulfil the demands without delay.
Union Vice President Puliyanda Chengappa, Convener Noorera Bhimaiah, Directors G.K. Dinesh Kumar, Harish Gowda, Ravindra, Manohara, Puttegowda, Gopalakrishna, Kusumavathy, Leelaveni, Chandramati, Nalini, Chandragowda and Honnegowda were present.
