Welcoming the government’s decision to extend ECHS benefits, officer cadets who were medically boarded out of military training institutions after suffering disabilities during training said the move would go a long way in reducing their monthly medical expenditure. They, however, pointed out that the larger battle remains — getting disability pension and ex-servicemen status.
“This is a huge step for all cadets. Private medical facilities (non-empanelled ones) are expensive, with exorbitant prices for medical tests and medicines, and many of them are difficult to trust,” said Bharati Joshi, mother of former NDA cadet Kishan Kulakarni (25) who has been bedridden since July 2020, with his medical report showing more than 90 per cent nerve damage in the brain.
“Take Kishan’s case. Since he has been bedridden, we have to call the ambulance for a simple checkup. Moreover, medicines and checkups are expensive. We have full trust in the forces and their medical facilities. This will be of huge benefit to the cadets,” said Joshi, a former school teacher and single mother who is taking care of Kulakarni all by herself.
“It comes as a relief after a long wait. It will make my life somewhat easier, helping me access medical facilities through a government scheme and reducing my monthly expenditure on treatment,” said Shubham Gupta (33), who suffered a spinal cord injury at the National Defence Academy (NDA) that left him paralysed from the neck down.
Calling the decision a “victory” towards getting due disability support, he said the larger battle remains — getting disability pension and ex-servicemen status.
Kartik Sharma (27), another former NDA cadet who suffered a spinal cord injury leading to paralysis, thanked the MoD and the Supreme Court for taking note of their plight. Pointing out that their long-standing plea has been the grant of disability pension and ex-servicemen status, he said the MoD’s decision was a significant step towards helping him and others lead a life of dignity and confidence.
“We thank the Supreme Court for its timely intervention and the Ministry of Defence for extending ECHS benefits to disabled cadets,” said Suman Raj, mother of former NDA cadet Vickrant Raj who suffered a head injury leading to brain haemorrhage and coma for six months. “This decision recognises their sacrifice, assures them of dignity and care, and strengthens faith in fairness towards those who once aspired to serve the nation,” she said.
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“It is a very good decision and a benevolent gesture on the part of the government to waive the ECHS contribution. This will be a significant step for further policy corrections,” said Ankur Chaturvedi (51), who was medically boarded out of NDA in 1996 due to a boxing injury.
