Bengaluru, 28 May

State Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government will make all efforts to set up the ex-servicemen welfare corporation in the State, aimed at the welfare of ex-soldiers.

He also announced that the government will not levy excise duty on military canteens.

Siddaramaiah was speaking at the Congress' 'Jai Hind Sabha' in the City , which was attended by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, AICC General Secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, officials, ex-servicemen, families of martyrs, among others.

"There are media reports about levying excise duty on military canteens. It will not be levied. The second is that there is a demand for setting up an ex-servicemen welfare corporation, and the government will make all efforts in this regard," Siddaramaiah said.

"Not only this, we are with you. You are with the country and we are with you," he added

Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar too said, "We will form a corporation which will help all ex-servicemen who are residing in Karnataka. I think this is the right time. Me and my cabinet colleague will discuss with the CM and we will honour our commitment for the strength you have given to the country."

Similarly, Shivakumar said "we are contemplating setting a separate corporation as per the advice of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge. We are committed to protect our servicemen who protect our nation. I would like to thank all the servicemen for their contribution to the security of the nation.”

Several ex-servicemen, families of martyrs were felicitated on the occasion including Ashok Chakra recipient Major Unnikrishnan, Ashok Chakra recipient Col Jojan Thomas, Shaurya Chakra recipient Major MC Muttanna, Shaurya Chakra recipient Major Ganesh Maddappa, Shaurya Chakra recipient Captain MV Panjal, Shaurya Chakra recipient Major Mohan Gangadharan, Major Shafiq Mohammed Khan, Sena medal winner Colnel Ramamurthy.

More than a thousand defence personnel including senior officials, ex-servicemen and families of martyrs attended the function.