The Army came under severe criticism from the veterans of the armed forces on Wednesday for endorsing a government move to tax the disability pension given to the personnel who were disabled in the line of duty.
Many former Army officers took to Twitter to express their displeasure over the Centre's decision.
In a series of tweets, the Army on Tuesday said over the years, broad-banding and the compensation awarded for disability with income tax exemption had led to a rise in the number of personnel claiming disability even for lifestyle diseases.
The endorsement has drawn a sharp reaction from the veterans, with former military secretary Lt Gen. (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain saying in a tweet, "ADGPI at its worst possible. Campaigning against its own."
Maj. Gen. (retd) S S Chohan tweeted saying, "How can you blame the others when your own have pulled the rug...!"
Another veteran, using the @desertfox61I handle on Twitter, reacted to the letter, saying, "If process is imperfect tighten that Close loop holes But don't penalise disabled by painting all in one colour (sic)."
Major Navdeep Singh, a lawyer and author who appears in court cases for soldiers' welfare, tweeted saying, "Actually I'm too benumbed to even react. This note goes against rules, judgements of the Supreme Court, medical science, and various reports of commissions and committees on the subject. Just too shocked. Unbelievable. Totally unbelievable."