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Kathmandu Friday July 20, 2001 Shrawan 05, 2058.
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Gurkhas’
plight
Britain is acting illegally, discriminating
the British Gurkha soldiers on the basis of race, origin and nationality although they are
one of the elite units and an integral part of the British army. Despite the fact that
Gurkhas have been campaigning hard for their own cause, demanding pay, pension and many
other benefits on equal footing with their British counterparts, the British government
has not paid attention to their demands. Clearly this act of ignorance is that Britain is
taking due advantage of Gurkha soldiers expecting them to put up with lower wage and
meagre pension while Britain is saving money by wilfully under paying Gurkhas.
Although the salary for the Gurkhas was raised
nearly to the same scale as that of British native soldiers only last year, the daily
scale of basic pay for Gurkhas still remained the same. The sum is far too less than what
British native soldiers get. It was only the added allowances that brought the Gurkhas
salary in line roughly equal to that of their British counterparts. Hence, the scale of
basic pay, leave pay and pension is still based on poorer living condition. Clearly, this
means Gurkhas along with their families and children are expected to go back to rural
poverty after leaving the British army (on retirement).
Janak Bahadur Gurung
Lalitpur |
