KATHMANDU: Gurkha veterans in Nepal today expressed disappointment at a British court’s decision to reject a test case seeking equal pension rights for the former soldiers.

“We are saddened by the court’s decision,” said Mahendra Lal Rai, general secretary of the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation.

“We don’t understand why we continue to be denied equal pension rights when we have received settlement rights and equal status with the British army.” The case was brought by the British Gurkha Welfare Society on behalf of two Nepalese Gurkha veterans who claimed that the government had unlawfully discriminated against them on the grounds of age and race.

Those who retired after July 1, 1997 were granted equal pensions in 2007.

But around 24,000 veterans who retired before that date and their dependents receive only a third of what their British counterparts get.

The British government defended the High Court challenge, arguing that Gurkha veterans’ pensions are paid over a longer time period than those of their British counterparts.

But SB Ghising, secretary of the United British Gurkha Ex-Servicemen’s Association in Nepal, said veterans’ groups would continue to campaign for equal rights.

“Those who retired before July 1, 1997 include the cream of the Gurkha veterans, winners of the highest military honours,” he said. “This issue must be addressed immediately.” Meanhile, a veterans group in London has said former Gurkha soldiers could now feel under pressure to settle in Britain instead of staying in their homeland. “Gurkhas’ injustice continues,” said the British Gurkha Welfare Society, after the judgement, adding an appeal was planned. General secretary Chhatra Rai warned the ruling could lead to impoverished Gurkhas heading for Britain, which would cost authorities here huge sums through increased welfare payments.

The case concerned veterans

retired before July 1, 1997,

most of whom continue to

live in Nepal, the High Court in London was told. “The approach of the MoD makes no sense since it is clear that considerable cost savings could be made if Gurkhas would feel less pressure to settle in the UK,” said Rai. “This would also put less pressure on the British welfare system,” he said.

“The Government has estimated that the settlement policy will cost between 300 million and 400 million pounds a year in welfare and healthcare provision for veterans and dependants moving to the UK,” Rai added.