Steps taken for welfare of servicemen: outgoing Army Commander

South Western Army Commander Lt Gen Gyan Bhushan, who retired today, said several welfare measures were taken for all ranks as well as for ex-servicemen during his more than two years of tenure in the command.
Lt Gen Bhushan is being relieved by Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni, who was the Director General, Information Technology, at the Army headquarters in Delhi.
"All-round activities covering all rank personnel, their family members and veterans were carried out and the command now has inclusive happiness. Operational preparedness was also fine as we conducted various exercises," Bhushan told reporters.
He said a concept of 'Gross Happiness Index' was introduced for inclusive happiness in the command which delivered encouraging results.

Appreciating the initiative of Rajasthan government for setting up Rajasthan Ex-Servicemen Corporation, he said 6,700 veterans got jobs through the corporation during the last eight to nine months.
"It was a good initiative of the Rajasthan government which helped so many veterans. Besides, the command took other steps for addressing issues of veterans," he said.

"We ensured that their issues are addressed in a proper manner," Bhushan, who took over as the SW Army Commander in November 2011 and completed more than 40 years in the service, said.
He said 35 polyclinics were opened and an online bill processing of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was also introduced for the convenience of servicemen and their dependents.

He was given a guard of honour at the Army cant in Jaipur in the presence of other senior officers.
Defence spokesperson S D Goswami said operational readiness of all formations and units was improved and critical deficiencies of equipments, stores and ammunition were reduced during his tenure as the Army commander.