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HQBG

OPEN LETTER BY COLONEL DG HAYES CBE COLONEL BRIGADE OF GURKHAS

ON GURKHA PENSIONS AND UK SETTLEMENT

MINISTERIAL CORRESPONDENCE – UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE AND MINISTER FOR VETERANS

Dear Reader, As Colonel Brigade of Gurkhas, I am writing this note through the means of Parbate to all its Readers but particularly to our ex-Servicemen, and also to our Regimental Associations and serving personnel. I am publishing a letter written by the Under Secretary of State for Defence (USoS) and Minister for Veterans to all UK Members of Parliament including a translated version. The USoS sets out the UK Government’s stance on Gurkha Pensions and Settlement in the UK. The content of his letter is self-explanatory. However, in particular you will all note the significance of the recent ruling on Gurkha pensions. The USoS’s letter substantially and unequivocally states the Government’s position, relying on the robustness and legal clarity of the Judge’s decision. The key messages to note are:

The Claimant’s challenge has once again failed and the Judgement has found, comprehensively, in MOD’s favour.

The Courts have once again confirmed that the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) is good and fair.

The Judge also confirmed the MOD’s position is both legally and morally sound and beyond reproach.

With regard to UK Settlement for ex-Gurkhas, the USoS clearly lays out the initiatives that are being taken across Government to ensure those ex-Gurkhas who wish to come to the UK are appropriately advised on the process and the realities of life here. Much effort is being undertaken by a variety of agencies including the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) as the lead Gurkha charity, alongside other Service charities. The key messages are:

Settlement in the UK is a personal and individual choice. The UK Government encourages all eligible ex-Gurkhas to utilise the free and

official advice of the Gurkha Settlement Office based at HQ British Gurkhas Nepal in Kathmandu.

An updated version of the booklet ‘Life in the UK’ is due to be published soon. This booklet provides the facts about the reality of life in the UK.

The USoS’s letter represents a substantive statement to his fellow Members of Parliament. The Brigade as a whole – our ex-Servicemen themselves, our Regimental Associations in both UK and Nepal, the other ex-Servicemen’s organisations, and the Serving Brigade – are all encouraged to take note of it, and

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HQBG / BGN

the clear message provided by the USoS on behalf of the UK Government on these substantial issues for the Brigade. Our Brigade both past and present, in the closest of relationships with our own charity the GWT, has a distinguished record in supporting our Gurkha ex-Servicemen and their dependants wherever they live, and particularly our most elderly and needy who live in Nepal; we shall always do just that. In the light of the recent robust legal decision on Gurkha pensions, in particular, my message is:

I urge all our ex-Servicemen to concentrate their energies on supporting the serving Brigade deployed on operations. That is where the Brigade’s future shall be determined, and thus the British Army’s ability to recruit young Nepalese men into its ranks and give them all the benefits of British Army service that our Gurkha ex-Servicemen have received in the past, and continue to receive.

Jai Gurkha. D G HAYES Colonel Colonel Brigade of Gurkhas

the clear message provided by the USoS on behalf of the UK Government on these substantial issues for the Brigade. Our Brigade both past and present, in the closest of relationships with our own charity the GWT, has a distinguished record in supporting our Gurkha ex-Servicemen and their dependants wherever they live, and particularly our most elderly and needy who live in Nepal; we shall always do just that. In the light of the recent robust legal decision on Gurkha pensions, in particular, my message is:

I urge all our ex-Servicemen to concentrate their energies on supporting the serving Brigade deployed on operations. That is where the Brigade’s future shall be determined, and thus the British Army’s ability to recruit young Nepalese men into its ranks and give them all the benefits of British Army service that our Gurkha ex-Servicemen have received in the past, and continue to receive.

Jai Gurkha. D G HAYES Colonel Colonel Brigade of Gurkhas

The Gurkha Settlement OfficeThe Gurkha Settlement Office (GSO) has been set up in Kathmandu by the Ministry of Defence to advise ex-Gurkhas on the practical issues concerning settlement in the United Kingdom and then assist with applications for visas.

The staff conduct centralised briefings on life in the United Kingdom and then provide one-on-one interviews where ex-Gurkhas can register themselves and their dependants as applicants. They are then guided through the requirements of the visa application process, eg. ensuring that applicants have all the necessary documents to support their application. What the GSO

does not do is give advice on whether or not an ex-Gurkha should make an application for settlement. That is the decision of the individual concerned and no-one else.

The service is open to all ex-Gurkhas who served in the British Army for more than four years, and their dependants. It is important to note that the help provided by the GSO is completely free; there are no charges or fees for the assistance given.

The GSO also provides access to a fast track National Insurance Number allocation process when an individual reaches the United Kingdom, so that they are capable

of either applying for jobs as soon as possible after arrival, or alternatively applying for benefits where they cannot work. The GSO liaises closely with the joint GWT/HQBG Gurkha Welfare Centre in UK (Salisbury and Aldershot) and seeks to ensure a high quality of service to all ex-Gurkhas.

Contact Details:

Gurkha Settlement OfficeHQ British Gurkhas NepalMan BhawanLailtpurKathmandu

Tel: 977 - 1 - 5533521

4 February 2010 Parbate Parbate February 2010 5

Letter from Minister for Veterans

Dear Colleague I am writing to you to draw your attention to a judgement released on 11 January, in which Mr Justice Burnett has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence’s pension arrangements for those Gurkhas who retired before 1 July 1997 are lawful and rejected all the grounds of the challenge mounted by the British Gurkha Welfare Society in the High Courts last October. The Gurkhas’ rank with the best and the bravest of our Armed Forces and we have always sought to treat them fairly, including in their retirement. The proposition that Gurkhas of earlier generations are less well treated has been entirely rejected and we will continue to honour and reward their commitment and sacrifice through the continued administration of the existing arrangements. The Judgement of the court is welcome. It confirms that the MOD’s position is both legally and morally sound and beyond reproach, and that the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) is good and fair. This judgement is in line with those made following two previous Judicial Reviews, in 2003 and 2008, when the Departments’ Gurkha pension arrangements were upheld as fair and lawful. Under the GPS, which is now a closed scheme, Gurkhas qualified for an immediate pension after 15 years’ service, typically in their early 30s; whereas most British personnel on the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) did not serve for the 22 years necessary to qualify for an immediate pension, and instead have a preserved pension payable at the age of 60. This means, typically, Gurkhas will have been receiving pension payments for over 25 years before most British soldiers of the same rank and length of service qualify for any payments under the AFPS. For example, a Gurkha Rifleman who retired in 1994 will have received some £61,000 at 2009 prices by age 60, compared with his AFPS 75 comparator who will have received no pension payment to that point. It is mainly Officers, under 10% of the retired group, for whom a British veteran’s pension is better than that of a Gurkha. It is not the case that equalisation of the pension would benefit the majority of Gurkhas. As with any pension, the amount payable per month reflects the length of time over which the pension will be paid. Although monthly sums paid under the AFPS will be higher, most Gurkhas will receive equivalent or better value than their counterparts on the AFPS, because the payments begin much earlier. It is particularly worth noting that British personnel who retired before 1975, and served less than 22 years, received no pension whatsoever, in contrast to many Gurkhas. Some are arguing for equalisation of pensions to mitigate the cost to the welfare state, of those settling in the UK. However, not only would it be wrong to use pensions policy to discourage emigration, contrary to the newly established policy; but also, as demonstrated, equalisation would not lead to any significant increase for the overwhelming majority of Gurkha veterans and so overall costs to the state would remain broadly similar. Moving on to the settlement of Gurkhas wishing to live in the UK, you may also have heard or seen the BBC coverage on Tuesday 5 January about some Service charities’ grave concerns about their ability to cope with the number of former Gurkhas coming to

MINISTRY OF DEFENCEFLOOR 6, ZONE B, MAIN BUILDINGWHITEHALL, LONDON, SW1A 2HB

12th January 2010

4 February 2010 Parbate Parbate February 2010 5

Letter from Minister for Veterans

Dear Colleague I am writing to you to draw your attention to a judgement released on 11 January, in which Mr Justice Burnett has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence’s pension arrangements for those Gurkhas who retired before 1 July 1997 are lawful and rejected all the grounds of the challenge mounted by the British Gurkha Welfare Society in the High Courts last October. The Gurkhas’ rank with the best and the bravest of our Armed Forces and we have always sought to treat them fairly, including in their retirement. The proposition that Gurkhas of earlier generations are less well treated has been entirely rejected and we will continue to honour and reward their commitment and sacrifice through the continued administration of the existing arrangements. The Judgement of the court is welcome. It confirms that the MOD’s position is both legally and morally sound and beyond reproach, and that the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) is good and fair. This judgement is in line with those made following two previous Judicial Reviews, in 2003 and 2008, when the Departments’ Gurkha pension arrangements were upheld as fair and lawful. Under the GPS, which is now a closed scheme, Gurkhas qualified for an immediate pension after 15 years’ service, typically in their early 30s; whereas most British personnel on the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) did not serve for the 22 years necessary to qualify for an immediate pension, and instead have a preserved pension payable at the age of 60. This means, typically, Gurkhas will have been receiving pension payments for over 25 years before most British soldiers of the same rank and length of service qualify for any payments under the AFPS. For example, a Gurkha Rifleman who retired in 1994 will have received some £61,000 at 2009 prices by age 60, compared with his AFPS 75 comparator who will have received no pension payment to that point. It is mainly Officers, under 10% of the retired group, for whom a British veteran’s pension is better than that of a Gurkha. It is not the case that equalisation of the pension would benefit the majority of Gurkhas. As with any pension, the amount payable per month reflects the length of time over which the pension will be paid. Although monthly sums paid under the AFPS will be higher, most Gurkhas will receive equivalent or better value than their counterparts on the AFPS, because the payments begin much earlier. It is particularly worth noting that British personnel who retired before 1975, and served less than 22 years, received no pension whatsoever, in contrast to many Gurkhas. Some are arguing for equalisation of pensions to mitigate the cost to the welfare state, of those settling in the UK. However, not only would it be wrong to use pensions policy to discourage emigration, contrary to the newly established policy; but also, as demonstrated, equalisation would not lead to any significant increase for the overwhelming majority of Gurkha veterans and so overall costs to the state would remain broadly similar. Moving on to the settlement of Gurkhas wishing to live in the UK, you may also have heard or seen the BBC coverage on Tuesday 5 January about some Service charities’ grave concerns about their ability to cope with the number of former Gurkhas coming to

them for help. This follows last year’s change in the immigration discretions, which has extended the ability to apply to settle in the UK to include approximately 30,000 ex-Gurkhas, who left the Army before 1 July 1997, and their dependents. I thought that you would wish to know more about what this and other departments have been doing to ensure that the settlement process is as smooth as it can be and that those ex-Gurkhas contemplating coming to this country are able to make an informed decision about where their best interests lie, many of whom will not have visited the UK and have little of or no knowledge of life here. Having set up a cross-government working group the Ministry of Defence has co-ordinated action to ensure that Gurkha veterans receive the right information and assistance to help them reach the decision best suited to their individual circumstances. As reported by the BBC, we have established a settlement office in Nepal which has had over 2,000 visitors since it was opened on 5 October 2009. The centre offers help with completing the visa application form and obtaining the necessary supporting documents. It provides information on the UK by means of a specially produced “Life in the UK” booklet, which is available in Nepalese and provides a signpost to Job Centre Plus and housing organisations. The work of the settlement office has been widely publicised in Nepal both through the local media and through the Gurkha Welfare Trust area offices. In the UK we have reinforced the existing welfare arrangements, including additional staff in key areas of settlement. Measures are in place to fast track National Insurance numbers to ensure that ex-Gurkhas arriving in here receive the support and benefits that the UK welfare system offers. We are supporting the Department for Communities and Local Government with a Local Authority working group for those districts which have larger Gurkha and ex-Gurkha communities, so that issues can be identified and tackled and information can be exchanged. The concern of the Service charity sector about the challenge represented by the settlement of ex-Gurkhas and their families in the UK is understandable and there is some evidence to indicate that unscrupulous elements in Nepal may be circumventing the official settlement office, charging individuals for services we offer for free, and creating unrealistic expectations about life in the UK and what support is available. We are working with the Service charities and have established a working group to address the challenges together. I will be meeting with them soon, to discuss what more we can do to ease transition for those moving to the UK. My colleagues and I are determined to support all Gurkha veterans who wish to travel to the UK ensuring they arrive with realistic expectations, well prepared and with every reasonable support in place. If you have any specific queries I will, of course, be happy to answer them.

KEVAN JONES MP

them for help. This follows last year’s change in the immigration discretions, which has extended the ability to apply to settle in the UK to include approximately 30,000 ex-Gurkhas, who left the Army before 1 July 1997, and their dependents. I thought that you would wish to know more about what this and other departments have been doing to ensure that the settlement process is as smooth as it can be and that those ex-Gurkhas contemplating coming to this country are able to make an informed decision about where their best interests lie, many of whom will not have visited the UK and have little of or no knowledge of life here. Having set up a cross-government working group the Ministry of Defence has co-ordinated action to ensure that Gurkha veterans receive the right information and assistance to help them reach the decision best suited to their individual circumstances. As reported by the BBC, we have established a settlement office in Nepal which has had over 2,000 visitors since it was opened on 5 October 2009. The centre offers help with completing the visa application form and obtaining the necessary supporting documents. It provides information on the UK by means of a specially produced “Life in the UK” booklet, which is available in Nepalese and provides a signpost to Job Centre Plus and housing organisations. The work of the settlement office has been widely publicised in Nepal both through the local media and through the Gurkha Welfare Trust area offices. In the UK we have reinforced the existing welfare arrangements, including additional staff in key areas of settlement. Measures are in place to fast track National Insurance numbers to ensure that ex-Gurkhas arriving in here receive the support and benefits that the UK welfare system offers. We are supporting the Department for Communities and Local Government with a Local Authority working group for those districts which have larger Gurkha and ex-Gurkha communities, so that issues can be identified and tackled and information can be exchanged. The concern of the Service charity sector about the challenge represented by the settlement of ex-Gurkhas and their families in the UK is understandable and there is some evidence to indicate that unscrupulous elements in Nepal may be circumventing the official settlement office, charging individuals for services we offer for free, and creating unrealistic expectations about life in the UK and what support is available. We are working with the Service charities and have established a working group to address the challenges together. I will be meeting with them soon, to discuss what more we can do to ease transition for those moving to the UK. My colleagues and I are determined to support all Gurkha veterans who wish to travel to the UK ensuring they arrive with realistic expectations, well prepared and with every reasonable support in place. If you have any specific queries I will, of course, be happy to answer them.

KEVAN JONES MP

6 February 2010 Parbate Parbate February 2010 7

गोखार् पे�सन र बेलायतमा बसोबासको िबषयमा अ�डर सेके्रटरी अफ �टेट फोर िडफे�स तथा भेटेर�स �म�न�टर��ारा जारी गिरएको पत्र मािथ

कन�ल िब्रगेड अफ गोखार्ज, कन�ल डी जी हेज सी बी ई ��ारा लेिखएको खु�ला पत्र प्रीय पाठकबगर्, कन�ल िब्रगेड अफ गोखार्जको हैिसयतले यो पवर्ते माफर् त स�पूणर् पाठकबगर् िबशषेत हाम्रो भू पू गोखार्लीह�, रेजीम�टल एसोिसएसन र हाल सेवामा रहेका सैिनकह�लाई यो पत्र लेख्दैछु । अ�डर सेके्रटरी अफ �टेट (Under Secretary of State) ले बेलायतको संिबधान सभाका सद�यह�लाई लेखेको पत्र साथै यसको नेपाली अनुबाद छा�दैछु । यसमा वहाँले गोखार् पे�सन र बेलायतमा बसोबासको िबषयमा बेलायती सरकारको अडान ् उ�लेख गनुर् भएको छ । वहाँको िचट्ठीमा लेिखएको कुरा �प�ट छ। तैपिन िबशषे गरेर गोखार् पे�सनको िबषयमा हालसालै गिरएको िनणर्यको मह�वपूणर्ता तपाईह� सबैले याद गनुर् हुने छ । अ�डर सेके्रटरी अफ �टेट (USoS) को िचट्ठीले �यायिधसको मजबुद र �प�ट िनणर्यमा आधािरत सरकारको �थान कुनै शंका िबना िठक रहेको प्र�तुत गरेको छ । याद गनुर् पन� मुख्य संदेशह� यस प्रकार छन:्

• प्रितपक्षीको फेरी पिन हार भएको छ र �यायाधीशले पूणर् �पमा रक्षा म�त्रालय (Ministry of Defence) को पक्षमा िनणर्य िदएको छ ।

• �यायलयले फेरी पिन गोखार् पे�सन ि�कम (Gurkha Pension Scheme) राम्रो र

िन�पक्ष भएको िनणर्य गरेको छ । • �यायािधसले रक्षा म�त्रालय (MOD) को अडान ्कानुिन तथा नैितकस�मत ्रहेको

िनणर्य िदएको छ ।

जहाँस�म भू पू गोखार्लीह�को बेलायतमा बसोबासको िबषय छ, बेलायत आउन चाहने भू पू गोखार्लीह�लाई आव�यक जानकारी र बेलायती जीबन संब�धी राम्रोसँग स�लाह िदन अ�तर सरकारी कायर्क्रम सु�वात गरेको िबषयमा अ�डर सेके्रटरी अफ �टेट (USoS) ले �प�ट उ�लेख गनुर्भएको छ । गोखार् वेलफेर ��ट (Gurkha Welfare Trust), हाम्रो मुख्य उदारकारी सं�था (Charity) लगायत अ�य िबिभ�न सँ�थाह�ले यसको लािग धेरै मेहनत गरेका छन ्। मुख्य स�देशह� यसप्रकार छन ्:

• बेलायतमा बसोबास गनुर् �यिक्तगत र आफनै रोजाई हो ।

• िब्रिटश सरकारले सब ैयोग्य भू पू गोखार्लीह�लाई काठमाड� ि�थत हेडक्वाटसर् िब्रिटश गोखार्ज नेपाल (िब्रिटश क्या�प) को गोखार् सेटलमे�ट अिफस (Gurkha Settlement Office) बाट िनशु�क र सरकारी सुझाब िलन प्रो�साहन गदर्छ ।

• हालसालै संशोधन गिरएको पुि�तका, बेलायतमा जीबन (Life in the UK), चाड�

प्रकािशत हँुदैछ । यसले बेलायती जीबन को बारेमा बा�तिबक त�यको बणर्न गदर्छ । अ�डर सेके्रटरी अफ �टेट (USoS) को िचट्ठीले वहाँको सहकमीर् संिबधान सभाका सद�यह�लाई िदइएको म��वपूणर् िब�ि�तको प्रितिनिध�व गरेको छ । अ�डर सेके्रटरी अफ �टेट (USoS) ले बिृटश सरकारको प्रितिनिध�व गरेर बगेृ�को मह�वपुणर् िबषयह�मा लेख्नु भएको िचट्ठीको �प�ट संदेशलाई हाल सेवामा रहेका, नेपाल अिन बेलायत दबुै ठाउँका रेिजमे�टल एसोिसएसनह� र अ�य भू पू सैिनक सँ�थाह� सबैले �यान िदन प्रो�साहन गिर�छ ।

6 February 2010 Parbate Parbate February 2010 7

हाम्रो आफनै उदार सँ��ा, गोखार् वेलफेर ��ट (GWT) संग बगेृडको पिहलेदेिख नै गिहरो संब�ध रिह आएको छ। हाम्रो भू पू सैिनक र उनीह�को पिरवार जहाँ बसेपिन, िबशषे गरेर नेपालमा बसेका बुढापाकाह�लाई प्रदान गद� आएको सहयोग सराहनीय छ र यो हामी जारी राख्ने छ� । हालसालै भएको गोखार् पे�सनको िनणर्यलाई म�यनजर राख्दै तपाईह� सबैलाई मेरो स�देश यो छ िक: "हाल अपरेस�समा भएको िब्रगेडलाई सहयोग गनर् सबै भू पू सैिनकह�लाई �यान केि��त गनर् अनुरोध गदर्छु । �यसैमा बगेृ�को भिब�य िनधार्िरत हुनेछ र िब्रिटश आमीर्ले भावी नेपाली युवालाई भतीर् गनर् सक्षम हुनेछ अिन यसबाट पाउने सुिबधाह� हाम्रा भू पू सैिनकह�ले पाए ज�तै नयाँ िपढीले पिन पाउने प्रक्रीया िनर�तर रहनेछ।" जय गोखार् िड िज हेज कन�ल कन�ल िब्रगेड अफ गोखार्ज

8 February 2010 Parbate Parbate February 2010 9

िप्रय सहकम�ह�, गत ११ जनवरीमा गिरएको फैसलाबारे तपा�ह�को �यान आकिषर्त गनर् यो लेिखरहेको छु जसमा �यायाधीश बन�टले १ जुलाइ १९९७ अिघ पे�सन पाएका गोखार् सैिनकह�का लािग रक्षा म�त्रालयले गरेको पे�सन �यव�था कानुनस�मत छ भनी पु��ट गनुर्भएको छ र गत अक्टोबरमा िब्रिटश गोखार् क�याणकारी समाज�वारा (British Gurkha Welfare Society) उ�च अदालतमा उठाइएका चुनौतीका आधारह�लाई खारेज गनुर्भएको छ । हाम्रो आ��र् फोस�स ् (Armed Forces) को सबैभ�दा बहादरु र उ�कृ�ट िसपाहीका तहमा िब्रिटश गोखार् रािखएका छन ् र हामीले उनीह�लाई पे�सन लगायत सबै पक्षमा सधै �यायोिचत �पमा �यवहार गरेका छ� । अिघ�लो पु�ताका िब्रिटश गोखार्ह�लाई असमान �यबहार गिरएको भ�ने दावी पूणर्�पमा खारेज गिरएको छ र हामी उनीह�को प्रितवद्धता र बिलदानलाई वतर्मान �यव�थाको कायार्�वयन�वारा िनरनत्र �पमा स�मान र पुर�कृत गन� छ� । अदालतको फैसला �वागतयोग्य छ । यसले रक्षा म�त्रालयको अव�था नैितक र कानुनी �पमै उिचत छ र गोखार् पे�सन ��कम (Gurkha Pension Scheme) राम्रो र �यायपूणर् छ भ�ने पु��ट गछर् । यो फैसला सन ्२००३ र २००८ मा गिरएका दईु �याियक समीक्षाकै (Judicial Review) िनर�तरता हो जितखेर सरकारले िब्रिटश गोखार् पे�सन �यव�थालाई �यायोिचत र कानुनी मानेको िथयो । गोखार् पे�सन ��कम, जुन अिहले ब�द भैसकेको छ, जस अ�तगर्त िब्रिटश गोखार्ह� १५ वषर्को सेवापिछ सामा�यतया ३० बषर् विरपिरको उमेरमा त�काल पे�सनका लािग योग्य हु�थे, जबकी आ��र् फोस�स ् पे�सन ��कम (Armed Forces Pension Scheme) अ�तगर्त २२ वषर् सेवा पूरा नगरेका अिधकांश िब्रिटश सैिनकह�ले त�काल पे�सन नपाएर उनीह� ६० वषर्को उमेरमा मात्र संरिक्षत पे�सन पाउँछन ् । यसको अथर् हो, गोखार्ह�ले आ��र् फोस�स ् पे�सन ��कम अ�तगर्त सामा�यतया उही तह र उ��त नै अविध काम गरेको िब्रिटश सैिनकभ�दा २५ वषर्अिघ देखी नै पे�सन पाउँछन ्। उदाहरणका लािग, सन ्१९९४ मा पे�सन पाएको गोखार् राइफल�यानले सन ्२००९ को म�ृयमा, ६० वषर् पुग्दास�ममा ६१ हजार पाउ�� पाइसकेको हु�छ जबकी �यो उमेरस�म आ��र् फोस�स ् पे�सन ��कम अ�तगर्तका िब्रिटश सैिनकह�ले पैसा पाउँदैनन ् । मुख्यतया अिफसरह�, जो पे�सन पाएकाम�ये १० प्रितशतभ�दा कम हु�छन,् उिनह�को मात्र गोखार्भ�दा िब्रिटशह�को पे�सन राम्रो छ । पे�सन समानताले बहुसंख्यक गोखार्लाई फाइदा गछर् नै भ�ने छैन। जुनसुकै पे�सन ��कममा पिन प्रितमिहना िदइने रकम पे�सन िदइने अविधले िनधार्िरत गछर् । आ��र् फोस�स ् पे�सन ��कम अ�तगर्त िदइने मािसक पे�सन बढी भए पिन अिधकांश गोखार्ले आ�ना समकक्षी िब्रिटश सैिनक बराबरी नै वा बढी रकम पाउँछन,् िकनभने उनीह�लाई धेरै पिहलेदेिखनै िदन सु� गिरएको हु�छ । िवशषे�पमा यो जा�नु ज�री छ िक सन ् १९७५ अिघ पे�सन पाएका र २२ वषर्भ�दा कम सेवा गरेका िब्रिटश सैिनकले पे�सन पाएनन,् जबकी य�ता अिधकांश गोखार्ले पाउँछन ्। बेलायतमा बसोबास गन�ह�का लािग क�याणकारी (Welfare) खचर् कम गनर् पे�सनको समानता आव�यक छ भनी कोही कोही तकर् गिररहेका छन ्। पे�सन नीित (Pension Policy) लाई अक� देशमा बसाइँ सनुर्लाई हतो�सािहत गन� �पमा प्रयोग गनुर् गलत मात्र नभएर अिहलेको �थािपत नीितको िवपिरत हुन जा�छ र मािथ उ�लेख गिरएअनुसार समानताले बहुसंख्यक गोखार् भुतपूवर् सैिनकको पे�सनमा पिन खासै िब्रद्धी �याउदैन र समग्रमा खचर् एउटै रह�छ । बेलायतमा ब�न चाहने गोखार्ह�को बसोबासबारेमा कुरा गदार्, सहयोगका लािग आएका गोखार्ह�को संख्याको सामना गनर् सक्ने क्षमताको िबषयमा उदारकारी सं�थाह�को (Charity) गिहरो िफक्री

8 February 2010 Parbate Parbate February 2010 9

रहेको मंगलबार ५ जनवरीको िबिबसीको कभरेजमा (BBC Coverage) तपाईंले हेनुर् वा सु�नुभयो होला । यो गत वषर् बसाइँसराइ िनयममा आएको पिरवतर्नले हो, जसले १ जुलाइ १९९७ भ�दा अिघ सेना छोडकेा किरब ३० हजार गोखार् र उनीह�का पिरवारलाई (Dependents) बेलायतमा बसोबासका लािग आवेदन गनर् पाउने बनाएको छ । रक्षा म�त्रालय र अ�य �वभागह�ले बसोबास प्रिक्रया सहज होस ्भनेर िनि�चत गनर् तथा बेलायत आउनेबारे स�िचरहेका गोखार्, जो बेलायत आएकै छैनन ्र यो देशबारे जानकारी �यादै कम वा छँदै छैन, उनीह�को सव��तम िहत कहाँ हु�छ भनेर जानकारीपूणर् िनणर्य गनर् सघाउन के गिररहेको छ भनेर तपाईं जा�न चाहनुहु�छ होला भ�ने मलाई लागेको छ । अ�तर सरकारी कायर् समूह (Cross-Government Working Group) गठन गरेर रक्षा म�त्रालयले भुतपूवर् गोखार्ह�को �यिक्तगत पिरि�थित अनुसारको सही िनणर्य गनर्, सही जानकारी र म�त पाउन ्भनेर सहयोग गनर् कायर्ह�को संयोजन गरेको छ । िबिबसीले िरपोटर् गरे अनुसार हामीले नेपालमा ५ अक्टोबर २००९ देखी गोखार् सेटलमे�ट अिफस (Gurkha Settlement Office) �थापना गरेका छ�, जहाँ यो �थापना भएयता २ हजारभ�दा बढी मािनसह� आइसकेका छन ् । कायार्लयले िभसा आवेदन फारम भनर् र आव�यक सहयोगी कागजपत्र हािसल गनर् सहयोग प्रदान गछर् । यसले नेपाली भाषामा तयार पािरएको पुि�तका, ‘बेलायतमा जीवन’(Life in the UK) को मा�यम�वारा बेलायत, रोजगार कायार्लय (Job Centre Plus) र आवािसय (Housing) सं�थाह�को बारेमा जानकारी उपल�ध गराउँछ । यस कायार्लयको कामबारे �थानीय स�चार तथा एिरया वे�फेयर से�टरह�का मा�यम�वारा �यापक �पमा प्रचार गिरएको छ । बेलायतमा हामीले मुख्य मुख्य बसोबास क्षेत्रमा थप कमर्चारी राखेर वतर्मान क�याणकारी �यब�थालाई अझ मजबुत पारेका छ� । यहाँ आइपुगेका भुतपूवर् गोखार्ह�ले िब्रिटश क�याणकारी प्रणालीले प्रदान गन� सहयोग र फाइदा पाउन चािहने राि��य िबमा न�बर (National Insurance Number) द्र�ुत हािसल गन� प्रणाली तयार गिरँदै छ । धेरै संख्यामा भुतपूवर् गोखार् समुदाय भएको िज�लाह�मा हामीले �थानीय अिधकारपूणर् कायर्समूह बनाएर �थािनय समुदाय र सरकारी िबभागलाई भुतपूवर् गोखार्ह�को सम�या पिहचान, समाधान र सूचना आदानप्रदानमा सहयोग गिररहेका छ� । बेलायतमा भतूपूवर् गोखार् र उनीह�का पिरवारको बसोबासमा आइपन� चुनौतीह�बारे उदारकारी सेवाह�ले (Service Charity) चासो राख्नु �वभा�वक हो र नेपालमा अनैितक त�वह�ले गोखार् सेटलमे�ट अिफसमा नजान प्रो�सािहत गरेका केही प्रमाणह� फेला परेका छन ्। उनीह�ले गोखार् सेटलमे�ट अिफसले िनशु�क उपल�ध गराउने सेवामा शु�क िलने र बेलायतको जीवन र उपल�ध सहायता (Benefit) बारे अवा�त�वक आशा िसजर्ना गन� गिररहेका छन ् । हामी उदारकारी (Charity) समूहसँग काम गिररहेका छ� र सँगसँगै यी चुनौतीलाई स�बोधन गनर् कायर्समूह �थापना गरेका छ� । बेलायत आउन लागेकालाई सिजलो पानर् थप के गनर् सिक�छ भनेर छलफल गनर् म उनीह�सँग चाँड ैभे�दैछु । वा�त�वक आशा, पणूर् तयारी तथा आव�यक प्रब�धलाई म�य नजर राख्दै बेलायत आउने भुतपूवर् गोखार्ह�लाई सहयोग गनर् म र मेरा सहकिमर्ह� प्रितब� छ� । यिद तपाईंसँग कुनै प्र�न छ भने म िनि�चय नै, खुसीसाथ जवाफ िदनेछु ।

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