NATIONAL 6 -(Spotlight Weekly)]

"The Gurkhas are In Integral Part Of The British Army"

Colonel Mark Dowdle is the defense attache at the British Embasssy. Dowdle has been long associated with Gurkha regiment in British Army. He spoke to Spotlight on various issues regarding pension of Gurkha soldiers. Excerpts:

How do you see the new pension plan?

I see the pension rate as very good news. I am particularly delighted because it demonstrates yet again the British Government's ongoing commitment to British Gurkhas. The Examination of British Gurkha Death in Service Gratuities and Pensions was concluded last year, by John Spellar, the Minister for Armed Forces. As you know it was extremely detailed and endorsed by His Majesty's Government of Nepal. Many ex-servicemen's organisations contributed to this valuable work. But the results were solely the decision of the Minister for Armed Forces. The examination resulted in equal death in service payments for British and Gurkha soldiers. Pensions increases were between 107 and 185%, with older pensioners and widows particularly benefitting. Minister for Armed Forces made it perfectly clear that these generous awards would not be subject to further negotiation. However, he did say that pensions would be reviewed each year to compensate for inflation. Accordingly, a team from the United Kingdom visited Nepal earlier this year to carry out this review. The recommended increase, of 11.9%, was met in full and backdated to 1 April 2000. All this has meant big rises for British Gurkha pensioners. Let me give some examples: A lance corporal with 15 year's service has received a 230% increase in pension (as at 30 Jan 00 NCRs2995.20 per month rising to NCRs7881.82 as at 31 Aug 00); a warrant officer with 20 years service some 302% (as at 30 Jan 00 NCRs4065.60 to NCRs12,301.08 per month as at 31 Aug 00). So, a great deal for our 26,000 pensioners.

What other benefits are retired Gurkha soldiers getting?

We are fair to our soldiers. Retiring Gurkha soldiers attend resettlement courses exactly the same as their British counterparts. On their arrival back in Nepal, they attend a comprehensive re-orientation package. Recently, in partnership with Coutts Ltd, British Gurkhas Nepal has recruited a Gurkha Re-employment Officer, whose sole responsibility is to find jobs for our retired soldiers. I am delighted to report that he has achieved some success already. Additionally we take a keen interest in our ex-servicemen and have contributed welfare funds to a multiplicity of projects over the years. A recent example is re-roofing the ex-servicemen's club in Rumjatar. The Gurkha Welfare Scheme also provides enormous assistance.

Some sections in British Gurkhas are opposing the new pension rate. How do you look at it?

It is a fact of life that even good news is distorted! I don't think that most of our pensioners, who are now benefitting from these excellent new pension rates, oppose them. British Army pensions are complicated and reflect different systems. The majority of Gurkhas serve for roughly15 years and receive an immediate pension, and British soldiers for 22 years to earn a pension. So, on an average, a Gurkha pension is paid 7 years earlier than a British Serviceman's. There are other differences. For example, if a Gurkha serviceman dies, the pension can be passed on to his widow and children. A British Pension cannot usually go to children. Minister for Armed Forces' recent decision has ensured that pensions are equitable. But the most important point - which I think needs to be understood - is that if British Pension rules were applied to Gurkhas, then about 90% of those Gurkhas who go on pension would not receive a pension until the age of 60. For most, the need is more immediate. Uniquely, we have recognised this in our arrangements for British Gurkha pensions, which are paid immediately upon retirement and these are adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation.

How do you see the existing Gurkha Welfare Scheme?

I see the outstanding Gurkha Welfare Scheme as the Jewel in our Crown. With a generous United Kingdom Ministry of Defence financial contribution and all other revenue raised privately, I have a budget of over Ł5.5M this year. The task given to me by my Trustees "....is to alleviate hardship and distress amongst Gurkha ex-servicemen and their dependents by rendering aid to individuals and their communities". We have 24 Area Welfare Centres in Nepal and ex-servicemen simply visit the highly dedicated Area Welfare Officers (themselves retired Queens Gurkha Officers) who run the Centres if they need assistance. But let me give you a flavour of the work of the Gurkha Welfare Scheme where we aim to make life better for our pensioners and their families:

How much money have you spent?

Between 1987 and this year we have spent NCRs43,773,009 on bursaries, secondary and tertiary education and employment training, benefitting 7,975 individuals. As an example the 722 who benefitted from Tertiary education have gone on to further employment in Nepal.Between 1979 and this year we have expended NCRs 94,849,350 on 1,166 minor school projects and have built 59 schools. This year alone we are spending NCRs13,205,050 to help educate a further 1387 children. And we are building further 9 schools and have 100 minor school projects at a cost of NCRs24,489,825. We are paying 11,550 welfare pensioners NCRs2,000.00 each month - which represents an ongoing commitment, by our Trustees, of several million pound a year. A welfare pensioner is an ex-serviceman or a member of his family without a service pension who is suffering hardship. We continue to provide hardship grants (in the event of landslides, fire or other problems) to individuals, build bridges, provide water taps to villages and pico-hydro projects.

How many welfare centres are there?

At our 24 Area Welfare Centres we run free Doctors clinics for our pensioners and we have introduced recently Eye Clinics in the more remote areas benefitting literally thousands of people. For example, between 12 - 15 March this year we ran a free Medical and Surgical Eye Camp in Libang, Rolpa District in conjunction with the Lions Eye Care Centre Kathmandu. A total of 922 patients were examined and 121 cataract operations carried out. A new initiative is the Gurkha Welfare Scheme's Medical Scheme. Service pensioners receive a 75% refund of all costs incurred for medical treatment, whilst welfare pensioners receive 100%. This has been most warmly welcomed by our service and welfare pensioners. So, perhaps one should look a little wider than just at pensions. We have a significant commitment to all our pensioners. This is best exemplified by both the new pension rates and the excellent support provided by the Gurkha Welfare Scheme. I should add that, since 1978, the community aid given by the Gurkha Welfare Scheme has been closely co-ordinated with His Majesty's Government. One example: An ex-Indian army soldier 28748 Rifleman Dhaniram Gurung enlisted on 25/11/42 and was discharged on 15/10/46. He was destitute. He has been in receipt of a welfare pension (NCRs2,000.00 per month) since Feb 93. In 98 he received a welfare grant of NCRs2,000.00 and another, in 99, for NCRs10,000.00 because of a fire at his home. We help.

Is it true that serving Gurkha soldiers receive the same pay as their British counterparts?

Yes, serving British and Gurkha soldiers enjoy the same financial awards for their service. Rank for rank, both receive the same money in their hand a month. Let the figures speak for themselves. These relate to married accompanied soldiers' annual salary: a Corporal gets NCRs 1,411,280, a Warrant Officer Class 2 NCRs1,969,344 and a Lieutenant (Queen's Gurkha Officer) NCRs2,204,696. In short they both get the same money and, as an aside, the British Government's continued commitment is reflected in a recent spend off Ł45M on two new Gurkha Barracks in Shornecliffe and Catterick.

Do you see any rationale behind the demonstrations?

I think it is human nature to want as much as possible for your family. But, I think the excellent assistance provided to welfare and service pensioners by the Gurkha Welfare Scheme with last year's pension award, up-rated by 11.9% recently, represents a very good deal. It is the democratic right of any individual to express his view about a matter that concerns him. But that right must be exercised within the law. Actions outside the law represent an abuse of the right of any Nepali to live in peace and security. I am deeply sorry that many of our welfare and service pensioners do not enjoy that peace and security because of the illegal actions of a minority of malcontents

And the future of the Gurkhas?

The Gurkhas are an integral part of the British Army. Gurkha units take full part in commitments alongside British units. In many instances, Gurkhas form a key and inseparable element of a British Regiment. Their professionalism has been demonstrated recently in Kosovo and East Timor. Held in great affection, esteem and respect, they have a future which I am sure will reflect the great attainments of their past.

There have been allegations that serving British Gurkha soldiers are mercenaries and discriminated against - do you have any comment?

British Gurkhas are recruited into the British Army under the Tripartite Agreement (TPA) which was agreed, in 1947, between the governments of Nepal, India and the United Kingdom. Within the TPA there is a specific undertaking, by each government, that any soldier employed would not be regarded as mercenaries. Protocol 1 of 1977 Additional to the Geneva Convention contains the only internationally broadly agreed definition of a mercenary. This definition excludes anyone who "is a member of the Armed Forces of a party to the conflict", thereby effectively excluding Gurkhas in the British Army. British Gurkhas are salaried and fully integrated members of a sovereign force. Gurkha units in the British Army are an integral part of its structure and take a full part in commitments alongside and within British units. In many instances, Gurkhas form a key and inseparable element of British Regiments.

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