The process of discharging 7,365 Maoist combatants who opted for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) during the recent regrouping process has begun from Friday, with the handing over of the first installment of their financial package.
Separate teams mobilised by the Army Integrating Special Committee (AISC) have already reached all seven People’s Liberation Army (PLA) cantonments across the country. The cheque distribution has finally started, albeit delay owing to dispute on rank harmonization.
Coordinator of the Secretariat for Army Integration Special Committee (AISC), Balananda Sharma marked the beginning of programme by handing over the cheque to Deputy Commander of Maoist Third Division Shaktikhor, Udaya Bahadur Chalaune, who has opted for voluntary retirement.
Chalaune is one among those receiving Rs. 800,000. He received a cheque worth Rs 400,000 as his first installment.
The combatants have been provided with cheque of either the Rastriya Banijya Bank or Agricultural Development Bank or the Nepal Bank along with travel costs.
The travel costs provided to combatants include Rs. 2,000 for those from the Tarai, Rs 5,000 for those from the Mountainous region and Rs 8,000 for those from the Hilly region.
A team comprising 14 persons including 12 from the centre and two from the local cantonment management has been deployed for the task. The team has set goal to complete the task within coming 12 days, said coordinator Sharma.
Some 1,137 among 3,350 ex-fighters in Maoist Third Division have chosen for voluntary retirement.