NEW DELHI: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday wrote to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging the withdrawal of newly introduced income tax provisions on disability pensions and calling for adequate funding for the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). In his letter to Sitharaman, Gandhi sought immediate action on two critical issues affecting armed forces personnel. Referring to the Finance Bill 2026, Gandhi said the proposal to tax disability pensions for personnel retained in service marks a historic shift. “This is the first time since 1922 that disability pensions are being taxed. Disability pensions are meant to provide relief to servicemen who suffer injuries, and should not be thought of as income,” he said.

Source: Indian Express February 28, 2026 09:21 UTC