by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Mysore, Jan 10: Following reports published in Star of Mysore and some other state papers in November and Dec-ember 2005, regarding some cases involving serving and retired army officers receiving cash in lieu of land granted by the Government, one of the officers who was a beneficiary, Lt Gen A. Natarajan PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.,) refunded the entire amount of the grant along with the annuity amounting to Rs. 143,700 that he has received from government of Karnataka through the Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement.

The amount was returned by a cheque along with a covering letter apologising for the error in providing his permanent home address as per the requirement of the Government rules, which says it has to be as on date of joining the army.

Lt. Gen. A. Natarajan was paid this amount while he was holding the appointment as Adjutant General during 2003, according to M.N. Subramani, President of Vekare Ex-servicemen Trust, in his letter to the Director, Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement, Bangalore.

In his letter, Subramani has enclosed a list of beneficiaries of cash in lieu of land grant, requesting the Director of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement to initiate action to recover the payments made illegally under the grant to other officers.