HYDERABAD: Brigadier K. Somashankar, Officiating General Officer Commanding (GOC), Telangana and Andhra Sub Area (TASA), visited the Ongole ex-servicemen CSD Canteen on Tuesday to interact with the veterans.
He addressed the issues brought to his notice and informed them about the concerted efforts taken by the headquarters of TASA towards their welfare.
The Officiating GOC also interacted with the Zila Sainik Welfare Officer and also met the District Magistrate and Collector of Ongole, Dinesh Kumar, IAS and discussed issues concerning land for the construction of an Integrated Sainik Bhawan at Ongole and other issues related to the welfare of Veer Naris too.
The District Collector assured all possible support in issues related to the welfare of veterans, while the GOC said he would ensure necessary assistance towards the former's initiative of spreading awareness about the Armed Forces among school children in Ongole district.
On Monday, the GOC, along with Havildar T. Pothuraju (Retd), Vir Chakra awardee, inaugurated the newly constructed Pharmacy (Dispensary) and Veterans Waiting Hall at Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic in Guntur.
He also visited the Guntur ex-servicemen CSD Canteen and inspected the construction work being undertaken to expand and improve canteen facilities for veterans. Major General Ramesh (Retd), Brigadier V. Venkat Reddy (Retd), director Rajya Sainik Board, Andhra Pradesh, staff of Zila Sainik Welfare Organisation of Guntur and prominent senior veterans of Guntur were present at the event. Over 250 veterans attended the event where the GOC assured them of all possible help from TASA in issues related to the new pension system 'Sparsh' and requested concerned authorities to facilitate smooth migration to the new system. A modified scooter was also handed over by the GOC to Sepoy Srinivas on the occasion.
