Also, beginning April 1, the pension allowance for ‘Dharmi Faujis’ of Operation Bluestar will be doubled. For their widows or dependents, the pension allowance too has been increased from Rs 2,500 per month to Rs 5,000. Brig Kuldip Singh Kahlon (retd), president of the Ex-servicemen Wing of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), said the pension allowance for Dharmi Faujis would be increased from the existing Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 monthly.

According to an estimate, in Punjab there were nearly 2731 affected. Brig Kahlon said, “Of these, 2,297 were taken back by the Army and paramilitary forces. Another 272 were absorbed in Central and state services.” The remaining 121 were being given a meagre monthly allowance, he said. SS Channi, Secretary, Defence Welfare, confirmed the government move.