UK govt allows all ex-Gurkhas to return

The British government has decided to allow Gurkha ex-army men to settle in Britain under its scheme 'Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK (ILE)', irrespective of the date of retirement.

According to United British Gurkhas Ex-Servicemen's Association, Nepal (UBGEAN) ILE is a provision that allows Gurkha soldiers to enter into the UK freely and stay and work there. But it is not mandatory, the organization said.

A 29-member team of the organization led by J. B. Rai is currently in UK visit to lobby for facilities, including pensions, to Gurkha soldiers in proportion to their British counterparts.

Earlier, the British government had announced to allow the Gurkha soldiers retired after July 1997 to return to UK and settle there.

The team also met the members of House of Commons of the British Parliament and discussed about the Gurkha issues. The organization is scheduled to organize a rally in London today (Monday) and an interaction programme with the members of House of Commons. nepalnews.com ia May 22 06