Gen continues retreat,praises Antony at veterans meeting

Instead,he listed the measures taken by the government for their welfare,including better implementation of the health scheme,setting up pension redressal cells,a palliative care centre for patients of cancer,and homes for the elderly in all cantonments.

He mentioned Antony twice,praising him for his support on issues like pension parity and healthcare,two issues closest to the hearts of the gathered audience. Despite the budget getting exhausted,the defence minister got us more funds sanctioned so that we could get over problems in the supply of medicines, Gen. Singh said.

On pension parity,over which veterans have been protesting for the past few years,the Army Chief said Antony has promised redressal after Parliaments budget session.

We have raised these points with the government. The defence minister has assured us that after the budget session is over,he will get these cleared one by one, Singh said to loud applause.

The Generals approach on Saturday,coming after the long reconciliation statement he issued on Friday blaming certain elements and selective leaks to project a rift between him and the government,seems to have cooled matters for now. Speaking in Kolkata,Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee insisted today that there is no fiasco involving the Army Chief. It has been explained by the defence minister on the floor of the house, Mukherjee told reporters.

The focus is now on investigations to find the source of the leak of a confidential letter written by Gen. Singh to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,listing out critical deficiencies in the Army. Antony has vowed to get to the bottom of the matter and ensure the strictest punishment possible for the culprit.