Pension for ailing ex-serviceman

The Armed Forces Tribunal Kochi bench has directed the Central government to disburse the disability pension to George Varghese of Kollam who sustained a disability during the military service within three months.

The bench comprising judicial member Justice Shrikant Tripathi and administrative member Lt General Thomas Mathew passed the order while considering a petition filed by George Varghese of Kollam seeking pension on the ground that the disability occurred due to military service.

Counsel for the petitioner C R Ramesh submitted that Varghese suffered bronchial asthma during the course of service and the medical board opined that disability suffered by the petitioner was attributable to military service.

The percentage of disability was 30 per cent.

The Central Government denied pension on the ground that he had himself sought for the discharge from the army on compassionate grounds.

The bench asked the state to grant the pension benefits from October 2008.

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