GENERAL MANDHATA SINGH Vs. STATE OF RAJASTHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed the present writ petition against the letters dtd. 25/1/2018 (Annex.1) and 21/1/2019 (Annex.12) issued by the Soldier Welfare Department, Government of Rajasthan, denying the benefit of cash rewards and land grants to the petitioner who was awarded gallantry award (Yudh Sena Medal) on 26/1/1991.

(2.) The facts borne out from the pleadings and arguments are that the petitioner was working in the 5 th Battalion of 9th Gorakha Rifle as Commanding Officer. He was inducted into operation 'Pawan' which was against militants of Sri Lanka. Because of his act of bravery and velour for the selfless devotion to duty and execution of effective counter insurgency operations in the face of militants, he was awarded 'Yudh Seva Medal' (for short 'the YSM') as evident from the notification dtd. 26/1/1991.

(3.) In 1966, the Rajasthan Gallantry Awards (Cash Awards and Land Grants) Rules, 1966 (for short 'the Rules of 1966') were promulgated which provides for cash rewards and land grants to the holders of gallantry awards. The YSM was included in the category of 'Gallantry Awards'.