File photo of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar
In a huge relief to lakhs of defence civilian pensioners, the government has sanctioned opening up defence canteen facilities across the country for them.
The sanction allows them to use defence canteens to purchase grocery items. However, they would not be able to buy liquor.
The approval by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has been welcomed by defence civilian pensioners who had been raising the demand for the last 10 years.
"We are very grateful to Parrikar for this move. I had even met former Defence Minister A K Antony but he had expressed his inability to convince the Army headquarters," T K Damodaran, Joint Secretary of Ordinance Factories and Allied Establishments Pensioners' Welfare Association, told PTI.
All pensioners have been asked to get their smart cards prepared to avail Canteen Stores Department facilities.