New Delhi, Feb 7 (IANS) The pension of an army officer’s widow has been revised from Rs.80 to Rs.18,000 a month, the government Monday informed the Supreme Court, which, however, observed there was a feeling that bureaucrats were insensitive towards families of the armed forces personnel.

‘There is a feeling that bureaucrats don’t care for them (service personnel),’ the apex court bench of Justice Markandey Katju and Justice B.S. Chauhan said.

The court said that whatever may be the final decision, the service personnel should feel that their case was given an adequate hearing and consideration.

‘A grievance needs to be given a hearing even if it is decided against the aggrieved service personnel,’ the court said.

Petitioner Pushpa Vanti is the widow of Major Dharam Chand, who joined the British India Army in 1937 and was promoted as a Junior Commissioned Officer in 1946. He was granted permanent commission in 1948.