Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 4:

Ex-British Gurkhas today sent a letter to all 659 members of British House of Commons explaining how the British government has been ‘discriminating’ against the Gurkhas who have served in British Army. Referring to the Tripartite Agreement (TPA) that was signed between Nepal, India and Britain in 1947, the letter has said that the Indian government has followed the treaty by providing pay and pension to Gurkhas on par with that given to Indian soldiers. “Contrary to the promises made in the TPA to treat British Gurkhas as equals to native British soldiers, the British Gurkhas have received dismally low pay and facilities during

their careers. The pension and gratities are so low that we cannot make ends meet,” stated the letter addressed to the British parliament’s members. The Gurkhas have suggested that the British government solve problems of unequal pension by introducing “proportionate pension” for Gurkhas, who have served for a minimum of 15 yeras and less than 22 years; and full pension for those who have served for 22 years.

“If a British soldier gets 22 pound sterling after 22 years service, a Gurkha soldier should get 15 pound sterling after 15 years of service,” the letter said. Apart from the issue of pension, the Gurkhas in the letter have also raised the issue of compensation, pension for widows and Gurkhas sent on reduncancies. It will also clarify the British parliamentarians about issues including medical expenses for retire Gurkhas, indefinite leave to enter UK, payment of pension in pound sterling among others. “We will wait for the British parliamentarians’ response before we move ahead in our movement against British government’s discriminatory

behaviour,” said Prem Rai, the chairman of The United British Gurkhas Ex-Servicemen’s Association. Likewise, Major Dipak Bahadur Gurung, who is the advisor to the organisation said that the Gurkhas’ current movement should not in anyway adversely affect the Gurkha recruitment and those serving in British Army currently.