A Veterans Rally and Pension Adalat was organised in Leh on Friday by the Leh Sub Area on behalf of the Fire and Fury Corps. The event saw an enthusiastic turnout of over 1,500 participants, including veterans, gallantry award winners (war heroes), and Veer Naris from remote regions across Ladakh.
The rally was inaugurated at Rinchen Auditorium by Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, General Officer Commanding, Fire and Fury Corps, in the presence of senior military and civilian dignitaries. The primary objective of the event was to provide assistance, resolve grievances, and raise awareness about various welfare schemes available to the veteran community.
As a mark of respect and gratitude, gallantry awardees and Veer Naris were felicitated by the General Officer Commanding. A wide array of ‘Awareness & Information Stalls’ was set up to provide information on welfare initiatives by the Indian Army, the Central Government, and the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh.
Veterans were also able to register their concerns and receive direct support from representatives of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (PCDA), Defence Pension Disbursing Office (DPDO) Leh, SPARSH (System for Pension Administration), and the Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO). In addition, facilities such as medical and dental check-ups, ECHS card registration, and interaction with local bank officials were also arranged.
The event served as a collaborative platform for veterans and their families to engage with both military and civil agencies, effectively addressing long-standing issues and offering on-the-spot support.
The rally was widely appreciated by the veteran community in Ladakh, who lauded the Indian Army’s continued commitment to their welfare. The event was marked as a significant success, both in terms of participation and impact.