Himachal CM seeks opening of more army canteens

Shimla, May 6 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday urged the Union government to open army canteens in those areas where there are no facilities for the soldiers and ex-servicemen.In a letter to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Chief Minister said that the state has a large number of serving and veterans soldiers. The issue of establishing army canteens or its extension counters has been a long pending demand of these soldiers and veterans.Thakur said that being a hilly state, Himachal has many areas having difficult terrains sans basic amenities for which the ex-servicemen have to travel over 60 km to avail canteen facilities.He said the ex-servicemen have been continuously approaching the state in this regard.Thakur said the state would provide the necessary infrastructure or gap funding in case necessary permission is granted to open the canteens.
--IANS vg/arm