Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao now turned to be a `big hero’ to both retired and serving Army personnel after announcing his government’s bold initiative to create `Army Welfare Fund’, for the first time in the country, which no other state Government ever thought of doing so.

A delegation of retired Army personnel from Telangana have met the Chief Minister last evening and expressed their gratitude and thanks to him. The retired army personnel under the leadership of TRS Rajya Sabha member Capt Laxmikanth Rao said that in the past no other Chief Minister ever bothered even to give them appointment or listen to their genuine problems.

Army personnel lauded the Chief Minister and said in an emotional tone that “We are treating you as one of our members of the profession and we look towards you as a true Commander”.

It may be recalled that early this week, Chief Minister had announced in the Assembly a slew of measures including the setting up of an “Army Welfare Fund,” massive increase in cash awards to army personnel from the State winning Gallantry Medals and a host of other concessions. He said he and his cabinet colleagues would contribute Rs 25,000 each per year while lawmakers from the State would contribute Rs 10,000 each per year towards setting up of the Rs 80 crore “Army Welfare Fund.”

Understanding their emotions, the Chief Minister hugged each one of them and personally inquired about their well-being. Retired Army Personnel Welfare Association leaders have presented an Artillery Model Gun to the Chief Minister on the occasion. Capt Laxmikanth Rao said that “Chandrasekhar Rao is the only Chief Minister in the country who is thinking about the Sainik Welfare, even without a formal proposal from us”.