NEW DELHI: A former National Security Guard (NSG) commando, who fought terrorists in the 26/11 attack and was invalidated from service after he became medically unfit, on Thursday claimed he has not got any financial benefits or pension and the money "gifted" to him and his colleagues.
Flanked by India Against Corruption (IAC) activist-politician Arvind Kejriwal and his associates, the 34-year-old former elite NSG commando Surender Singh told a news conference that he has so far received just Rs 4 lakh, including Rs 2.5 lakh from the Centre, as financial benefits.
However, the government rejected his claim with information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari saying that the commando has been paid Rs 31 lakh in the form of ex-gratia payment by the governments of India and Maharashtra.
Interestingly, the government's rejection first came on PIB's twitter handle even as the press conference was on.
Narating his story, Singh said he was severely injured in the operation to flush out terrorists from the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai and was invalidated from service in October, 2011.
Since last year, he alleged, he has not received "even a single paise" from the government.
Singh claimed that NSG commandos, who were injured in the 26/11 operation, received a "number of gifts in the form of cheques" but the force had not dispersed them to the people concerned.
"I saw a file in which the photocopy of a cheque of Rs 2 lakh each from Rohan Motors Pvt Ltd and another firm were received in my name. I never got the money. Not just me but none of my colleagues got the money which came in their name. I want to know who en-cashed them and where are they now?" he asked.
'White lies'
Meanwhile, raising Surender Singh's cause, IAC on Thursday rebutted Army's claims that it paid dues to a former NSG commando, who fought terrorists in the 26/11 attack and was invalidated from service after he became medically unfit, saying these are "white lies".
In a statement on behalf of Surender Singh, IAC claimed that army and government were only talking about sanctioning his pension and not actually given it to him.
The IAC said the government did not give it in writing to Singh that he has been sanctioned pension.
"Surender Singh has termed the claims of Army as white lies," the statement said.
On Twitter, Arvind Kejriwal said army accepted all their allegations. "Pension has been sanctioned just now. So he was not getting it till now," he said.
He also claimed, "Army accepts that medical card was made in Oct 2012. This means he was getting treated from his own money so far."
26/11 hero claims govt didn't pay dues, Army denies claims
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26/11 hero claims govt didn't pay dues, Army denies claims
