Raipur, The ex-gratia amount given to the wives or dependents of soldiers martyred in war and military operations has been increased from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. Along with this, the amount given to soldiers who have received various gallantry awards in war and military operations has also been increased. Now, brave soldiers who have received the Param Vir Chakra will be given an ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 crore instead of Rs 40 lakh. This important decision was taken in the meeting of the State Sainik Board held today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai.
Today, the 6th meeting of the State Sainik Committee of the Department of Sainik Welfare was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai at the Mahanadi Bhawan, Ministry. On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that our soldiers sacrifice their lives for the security of the country. We salute their valor and sacrifice. The government is always committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. In the meeting, several welfare schemes run by the state for the Veer Naris, ex-servicemen, widows and their dependents of the martyrs were discussed.
Addressing the sixth meeting of the committee, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that our brave soldiers are always ready day and night for the security of 140 crore countrymen. It is everyone’s responsibility and duty to do the welfare of these brave sons who dedicate their lives in the service of Mother India. In today’s meeting, meaningful discussions were held in the interest of ex-servicemen, widows and their families. The decisions taken in the meeting will directly benefit the ex-servicemen and their families. Some important suggestions have also been given by the members for the betterment of ex-servicemen, which will be considered positively and appropriate decisions will be taken.
During the meeting, several important agenda points were decided in the interest of ex-servicemen, widows and their dependents. These include increasing the ex-gratia amount from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh to the wife or dependents of soldiers martyred (battle casualty) in war and military operations, increasing the amount given to soldiers who have received various gallantry awards. Now, the Param Vir Chakra recipient soldier will be given Rs 1 crore instead of Rs 40 lakh. Similarly, the Jangi prize money given to the parents of soldiers has been increased from Rs 5 thousand per annum to Rs 20 thousand. The grant amount for soldiers disabled in war and military operations has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 30 lakh. Along with this, it has been decided to give exemption in stamp duty up to Rs 25 lakh on the first land/house purchase to serving soldiers, ex-servicemen and widows.
On this occasion, Chief Secretary Chhattisgarh Government Shri Amitabh Jain presented a sapling to the Chief Minister. After that, Brigadier Vivek Sharma, Director, Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Chhattisgarh and Secretary, State Sainik Committee, Distinguished Service Medal (Retd) presented a brief information on the activities of the State Sainik Board, Chhattisgarh. He gave a progress report on the proceedings of the 5th State Sainik Board meeting held on January 13, 2012 and started discussion on the agenda points included in the 6th meeting.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, MP Raipur Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, General Officer Commanding of Central India Area Lieutenant General Padam Singh Shekhawat (PVSM, AVSM, SM), Additional Chief Secretary Home Department Shri Manoj Pingua, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary to Chief Minister Shri Rahul Bhagat, Secretary of Central Sainik Board New Delhi Brigadier D.S. Basera (Distinguished Service Medal), Commander Chhattisgarh and Odisha Sub Area Brigadier Tejinder Singh Bawa (Army Medal), Secretary Finance Department Shri Ankit Anand, Secretary General Administration Department Shri Avinash Champawat, Major General Sanjay Sharma (Retd), Wing Commander A. Srinivas Rao (Retd), Shri Vikrant Singh and Shri Rajesh Kumar Pandey were present as members of the State Sainik Committee Chhattisgarh.