Dhani Ram Shandil, Minister for Justice, Empowerment and Sainik Welfare, said that the state government would consider various demands and issues raised by gallantry awardees.
Addressing the triennial convention-cum-reunion of the War Decorated India, an association of Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and Vir Chakra (VrC) recipients at Chandigarh, Shandil assured that he would take up their demand that gallantry awardees should be exempted from the provisions that restrict non-Himachal people from purchasing agricultural land in the state, with the Chief Minister as well as his colleagues.
Gallantry awardees from Himachal had also sought that their allowances and other benefits should be brought on par with Punjab. They said despite the large contribution of the state in the armed forces, the state lags considerably behind its neighbouring state in extending benefits and other facilities to them. This issue would also be taken up with the Chief Minister.
Minister said that Himachal would also be raising two or three ecological battalions, which would help to preserve environment rejuvenation and would also help to provide reemployment to ex-servicemen.
