Mahesh Acharya

In what is seen as an effort to treat Nepali citizens on a par with natives in the Indian army, the government of India has decided to extend special health services to ex-servicemen from Nepal.

The Indian cabinet on Wednesday approved the extension of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas (NDGs) ex-servicemen pensioners.

“The extension of ECHS service will meet a long outstanding need for providing healthcare to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas ex-servicemen,” the Indian cabinet said in a statement.

With this decision, the ECHS scheme, which used to provide comprehensive and quality healthcare benefits to those residing in India only, will now benefit about 100,000 ex-servicemen and 217,000 dependents domiciled in Nepal. However, only the NDG ex-servicemen who are paid from Defence Estimates will be eligible for ECHS membership.

The beneficiaries are entitled to medical treatment under ECHS scheme at polyclinics, and ECHS empanelled civil hospitals in India as well as emergency treatment. Considering the practical difficulties being faced by NDG ex-servicemen, the Indian government has also decided to provide medical facilities in Nepal itself. The facilities would be available in the same pattern as are available to Indian ex-servicemen residing in India, read the release of Indian cabinet.

The Nepali ex-servicemen vying for the prospective health scheme could collect and submit applications from the Defence Attaché in Kathmandu as well as the nearest Station Headquarters of Army/Navy/Air Force in India.

War widows and pre-1996 retirees are exempted from the payment of one time ECHS contribution. For others, contribution will be applicable in India in Indian Rupees. For NDGs staying in Nepal, contribution can be deposited in India through the Military Receivable Order under existing provisions or deposited in the Indian Government treasury located at the Embassy of India, Kathmandu. Persons retiring after the issue of this order will also exercise the option of deduction of contribution by the pension payment authority.

Published on: 5 January 2012 | The Kathmandu Post