British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon on Tuesday asked the Ministry of Defense to review the terms and conditions of service for the Gurkha Soldiers serving in the British Army, the Kathmandu based British Embassy said.

Hoon, according to the statement, told British MPs that the study would look at whether differences in their terms and conditions were 'reasonable and justifiable.'

“As the House will be aware, our policy is to keep the Brigade of Gurkhas’ terms and conditions of service under review, to ensure that they are fair and that any differences from the wider Army are reasonable and justifiable,” the British Defense Secretary told the House in a written ministerial statement, according to the embassy.

According to Hoon, the terms of services for the Gurkhas under review may include, their career profiles, length of services, comparisons with the wider British Army in terms of services, promotional structures, pay and pensions, allowances, personal support for the individual, education for children, medical provisions and leave arrangements.

The British government’s decision has come at a time when the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen Organization (GAESO) has been demanding pay and perks equal to their British counterparts, for a long time.

GAESO has welcomed the decision saying it is “a positive indication towards the Gurkhas.” nepalnews.com pd Jan 13 05

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