India to step up welfare schemes for ex-Gorkhas

India is planning to spend over Rs 12 billion this year in pension schemes and welfare activities for former Gorkha soldiers of the Indian Army, with the amount set to rise above Rs 20 billion from the next fiscal.
"We have asked the government of India to increase the money being distributed to the ex-servicemen to over 20 billion from next fiscal year and the government has agreed to allocate the money," said Indian Ambassador to Nepal Jayanta Prasad here today.
Currently, Indian Army spends Rs 8.75 billion, including Rs 7.5 billion alloted for pensions of the former Gorkha soldiers, Prasad said while inaugurating the 23rd�annual meeting of Indian Ex-servicemen Welfare Organisation of Nepal (IESWON).

There are more than 1,26,000 Nepalese soldiers who receives pension from the Indian Army.
"The government of India is committed to continue various welfare activities being carried out for the benefit of the ex-servicemen and their family members," said Prasad.
The five day meeting will discuss ways to expand and strengthen the current welfare activities in various projects related to health, education, drinking water and infrastructure.
Nepal's Defence Secretary Tilak Ram Sharma and India's Secretary at the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence were also present at the event.