Gurkhas riled over UK visa conditions<br/> 'Visa is our right'

POKHARA, May 2: They were very happy with the British High Court decision last year. But the ex-Gurkha families, who want to go Britain, are now dismayed by the latest decision of the British government. [break]



The dismay came after the British Government introduced various incompatible provisions such as the need to have served in the British army for 20 years, received an award for valor, suffered an injury while in service or lived continuously for three years in the UK to be eligible for a residential visa. The latest decision announced on Friday runs counter to the decision on Gurkhas taken by the UK High Court on September 30 last year.



As per the High Court decision, some 36,000 former Gurkhas are entitled to residential visas. However, the latest announcement will limit the number to about 4,300, according to the Gorkha Army Ex-Servicemen´s Organization (GAESO).



Harka Bahadur Pun, central and western regional coordinator of GAESO, said that the new provision requiring 20 years of service for a residential visa was unjustifiable as a private retires after 15 years of service and a sergeant is pensioned off after 18 years.



Pun said it is also unjustifiable to announce a new provision that requires one to have lived continuously for three years in the UK to be eligible for visa purposes. A Gurkha battalion is not stationed in the same place for more than two years. “We are being prevented from going to the UK through the introduction of non-existent rules,” he said. “These condtions are part of the conspiracy of the British government to deny visas to former Gurkhas.”



In a vote held recently in the British parliament on the visa issue, a majority went in favor of the former Gurkhas.



Despite this, there is confusion among ex-Gurkhas whether the British Government will come out in their favor. The parliamentary vote was non-binding.





Number of former Gurkhas



Officer-level 1,500

Privates 35,000

Sergeants 2,000

Victoria Cross winners still living 3

Those above 65 and receiving pensions about 20,000





Pension amount per month



Private Rs 20,000

Sergeant Rs 24,000

Officer (Lieutenant) Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000

Officer (Captain) Rs 60,000

Officer (Major) Rs 62,000 to Rs 63,000

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