New Delhi, February 28: Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging an increase in funding for the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and the removal of income tax on disability pensions.
In his letter, Gandhi emphasized that the ECHS was established to provide top-notch healthcare services. However, it is currently facing a severe funding crisis, with over ₹12,000 crores in pending medical bills. The budget allocation falls short by nearly 30%, leading to hospitals withdrawing services due to unpaid dues. Veterans are forced to pay out of pocket, and delays in treatment for serious illnesses like cancer are becoming common. Those who served the nation are feeling neglected during their time of need.
Gandhi stated, “The Finance Bill 2026 proposes to impose tax on disability pensions for those still in service. This is the first time since 1922 that such a tax is being levied. The purpose of disability pensions is to provide relief to injured soldiers, and it should not be considered as income. Furthermore, when a disabled soldier chooses to remain in service or is requested to do so, they are selflessly serving the nation despite their injuries. Taxing something that deserves commendation is an insult.”
In his correspondence, Gandhi shared that a delegation of veterans brought these issues to his attention, and it was disheartening to hear their feelings of disappointment towards their own government.
In his letter to Sitharaman, the Congress leader expressed confidence that she would agree that our brothers and sisters serving in the armed forces deserve all forms of support from the nation. He requested that all pending liabilities of the ECHS be settled with adequate budgetary assistance and that the tax exemption on disability pensions be reinstated.