Ex-servicemen queue up in front of the Cockerel CSD canteen in Ranchi after its inauguration. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Oct. 3: Ex-servicemen in trouble can heave a sigh of relief. Solutions to their problems could just be a phone call away.

A helpline for former defence personnel was inaugurated at the Cockerel ESM Welfare Centre (CEWC) in Morabadi today.

The help centre would be open from 8 am to 5 pm. Apart from telephonic advice, the helpline would also pursue matters on behalf of ex-servicemen until the complaints are addressed.

Speaking about the service, an army official said: “The helpline is meant to address any type of problem an ex-servicemen might face. For example, some ex-servicemen are not aware of the facilities they can avail (such as financial benefits and admission for children). If they get in touch with us, we will inform them about the benefits due to them.

“We will also maintain progress reports of the cases. In case, a caller wants us to pursue his case, we will reach out with the right kind of help.”

The helpline is part of a CEWC initiative. Apart from this service, four other facilities were also inaugurated today by Army Wives’ Welfare Association president Bulbul Ghosh. Besides the renovated canteen-cum-departmental store, the other facilities include a medical inspection room, a patient bus stand and a ration stand.

The departmental store was functional earlier too. But it was renovated and now sports new tiles and additional sections.

The medical inspection room will have a doctor on duty during the day. For specialised medical care, the doctor will refer cases to the Military Hospital in Namkum. This is where the transportation facilities come in handy. Patients can find transportation from the bus stand to the Namkum hospital.

“Buses will travel at frequent intervals from this bus stand to the military hospital in Namkum. The service is available on a daily basis,” said an army officer.

At the ration stand, former defence personnel would be able to purchase foodgrain and other items at subsidised rates.