Leaders of the Kodagu District Ex-Servicemen’s Association have expressed confidence that the district administration, under Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekhar, will ensure the early disposal of more than 1,500 applications for land allotment submitted by ex-servicemen over nearly two decades.
Addressing a press conference in Madikeri, Association President Major General B.A. Cariappa (Retd.) said that over 1,500 applications submitted by ex-servicemen are still pending. He pointed out that no grievance meetings had been held during the last five years to hear and resolve the issues faced by ex-servicemen.
He appreciated the present Deputy Commissioner for convening a grievance meeting after a long gap and for listening to the concerns of former servicemen. During the meeting, the association drew the attention of the Deputy Commissioner to issues concerning land allotment, site allotment and the construction of a community hall for ex-servicemen. Responding to the concerns, the Deputy Commissioner assured that instructions had been issued to the concerned officials to address the issues within the next two months and take the necessary action.
Honorary Secretary of the association, Major O.S. Chingappa (Retd.), said that in earlier years, Deputy Commissioners used to allot five acres of land to retired army personnel. However, the authority to grant such allotments has since been shifted to another administrative mechanism.
He said that more than 1,500 applications submitted by ex-servicemen for land allotment during the last two decades remain pending. Though some applications may have been disposed of, the association has not received information regarding the same.
Chingappa further stated that, in recent years, a view has emerged that ex-servicemen who have inherited property should not be granted land. He maintained that inherited property and land provided in recognition of military service to the nation should be treated separately and expressed disappointment that this distinction is not being followed. He noted that more than 90 per cent of ex-servicemen in Kodagu own houses, while only around 10 per cent do not possess sites. He appealed to the authorities to dispose of the 200 to 300 pending applications submitted by such beneficiaries and provide them with land.
Association Vice-President Lieutenant Colonel Ayyuda Ganapathy (Retd.), Ponnampet Taluk President Ainanda Mandanna, Somwarpet Taluk President B.R. Eerappa and Virajpet Taluk Ex-Servicemen’s Cooperative Association President Chappanda Harish were present at the press conference.
