Army Exempt From Property, Vehicle Taxes In State

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao today passed an order exempting all Army personnel from paying Motor Vehicle tax for automobiles owned by them in the State.

Addressing a high-level review meeting on the welfare of retired military personnel at Pragathi Bhavan, the Chief Minister promised to work towards the welfare of serving and retired Army personnel besides the families of martyrs.

"The government has taken several measures for the welfare of the Indian Army stationed in Telangana, and many more will be taken in the future," he said. The Chief Minister had earlier implemented the Double Pension scheme for retired military personnel and to their spouse in case of death of the pensioner. Under this scheme, pensioners would receive double the amount of money if they were to take up a job after being discharged from service.

The CM also decided to extend benefits given to the soldiers killed along enemy lines, and even to those who lost their lives due to health issues and accidents. He instructed the officials not to discrimination between the two cases. Retired Army officials working as special police officers would be paid salaries along with other employees every month.

The State government will reportedly also accord recognition to Army/Military schools. Students joining NCC, and Scouts and Guides would be encouraged and those pursuing courses in the National Defence Academy from the State would be given scholarships, he promised.

Since the Centre agreed to set up an Army School in Warangal, an MoU should be signed as early as possible, KCR said. Apart from these, the Chief Minister also enhanced the pension of war widows, announced 2% reservation in the double bedroom housing scheme, and exempted military personnel from paying property tax for lands owned by them.

Home Ministers Nayini Narasimha Reddy, State government Principal Advisor Rajiv Sharma, MPs Laxmikanth Rao and Vinod Kumar, Principal Secretaries Rajiv Trivedi and S Narsing Rao, Home Secretary Anitha Rajendra, Southern Indian Army Commandant General-Major S Pachauri, Secunderabad Station Brigadier Ajay Singh Negi and others participated in the meeting.

The Chief Minister also organized a lunch and dined along with the Army officials present.