KATHMANDU, March 21: The British government announced on Friday that retired British Gurkha servicemen will get 14.1 percent increment in their pensions.
According to Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency, the increment in the pensions was because of the spiraling inflation in Nepal where most of the former soldiers reside. The decision will come into effect from April 1. [break]
Gurkha veterans lose equal pensions fight
Taking into consideration the present inflation rate in Nepal, the British Under Secretary of the State for Defence and Minister for Veterans, Keven Jones, announced the increase in London.
"It has always been our policy to ensure that the 26,500 Gurkha pensioners are treated fairly," Jones said. "It demonstrates our continuing commitment to the retired Gurkha community in Nepal."
Besides this, according to PTI, there will be significant increase of 20 percent and more to some 1,000 pensioners who are aged 80 years or above, as per a clause of the 1947 tripartite agreement among Nepal, India and the UK.
With the new scheme, the elderly ex-soldiers will get an overall increase of at least 34 per cent on their pensions.
The move "ensures that Gurkha pensions are kept at a fair and appropriate level and that the elderly who are the most vulnerable are helped," Jones has been quoted as saying.
