No excise duty on military canteens: CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday that there would would not be excise duty on military canteens and that the government would endeavour to form a welfare corporation for ex-servicepersons.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Congress party to honour the armed forces, Siddaramaiah said, “Just the way we respect teachers, doctors and parents, we must respect soldiers. We always pay homage to you as you protect the country’s sovereignty and unity.”

Siddaramaiah articulated that sovereignty, unity and protection were not asn’t just the job of the armed forces but instead the collective responsibility of all 140 crore Indians.

“Ever since partition, there have been clashes between India and Pakistan. Pakistan doesn’t keep quiet and keeps coming to fight with us. They harbour terrorists, whom we must defeat. India has never compromised in protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty. Even in the future, it won't. This is the commitment of each Indian.”

The chief minister conveyed his regards to the parents of military martyrs. Family members of military martyrs were honoured on the occasion.