Nepalese Ex-Indian Army Personnel Struggle to Access Pensions Due to Covid-19 Lockdown

Strategic Insights -

As the India-Nepal border remains closed due to the Covid-19-induced lockdown, over 1,600 ex-Indian Army personnel, mainly Nepalese citizens who had served in the Gorkha Regiment, are facing a crisis. These individuals, residing in Baitadi and Dharchula districts of Nepal, have been unable to access their pensions, which are deposited in the State Bank of India (SBI) on the Indian side of the border. The cumulative pension amounting to around Rs 50 lakh per month is being held up, causing significant hardship to the pensioners and their widows.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 1,600 ex-Indian Army personnel, mainly Nepalese citizens, are unable to access their pensions due to the closure of the India-Nepal border.
  • The pensioners have accounts at SBI branches in Jhulaghat, Dharchula, and Jauljibi, with a cumulative pension of around Rs 50 lakh per month.
  • None of the pensioners have access to online banking facilities, and no bank on the Nepalese side of the border has a collaboration with the SBI.
  • The pensioners have requested both governments to make arrangements for them to access their pension funds.
  • The district soldiers' welfare office in Pithoragarh has not received any complaints from Nepalese pensioners, but has an office in Mahendra Nagar that the pensioners can approach for redressal of their problems.

Statistics:

  • 1,600 ex-Indian Army personnel affected by the pension crisis.
  • 700 accounts at SBI, Jhulaghat, and an equal number at the Dharchula branch.
  • 200 pensioner accounts at SBI, Jauljibi.
  • Cumulative pension amount: around Rs 50 lakh per month.
  • Pension duration: almost three months.

Sources:

  • Kamlesh Joshi, manager of SBI, Jhulaghat.
  • Heera Singh Bisht, a pensioner from Baitadi, Nepal.
  • Hem Chand, another pensioner.
  • MS Jodha, officer of the district soldiers' welfare office, Pithoragarh.