The bins still need emptying

Troops who have served at least 6 months in either Iraq or Afganistan are to get a payment of £140 towards their council tax. Why? I have the greatest admiration for our troops, but cannot see the connection between what they do and council tax. Indeed, I as the sole person now living in my property, get a council tax rebate, which is just as illogical. The council still do as much (or as little) for me as they did when my wife was alive, so although the rebate is welcome, I cannot see the reasoning behind it. This payment to the troops simply smacks of an empty political "gesture", designed to deflect recent criticism of the way the armed forces are treated generally.