WELFARE OF EX-SERVICEMEN

The details of total number of ex-servicemen personnel receiving pension from Government, State/UT-wise including Karnataka are as under:

         There is no provision for the rank wise compilation of the pensionary awards paid to the ex-servicemen. The pensionary awards paid to the commissioned officers & PBOR (for all ranks) including defence civilians of Army, Navy & Air Force are compiled in the same code head of pensionary awards of the respective wings. However, details of expenditure on pension and other retirement benefits for the last five years are as under: 

The details of steps taken by the Government for welfare of ex-servicemen in the country are as under:

1. Benefits given from Armed Forces Flag Day Fund:

2. Modified Scooter Grant: Rs 1,00,000/- is provided to those ESM, who are disabled after service with a disability of 50% or more and who are not covered under the scheme of AG’s Branch of IHQ (Army, Navy & Air Force).

3. Serious diseases Grant from AFFD Fund to Non Pensioners ESM of all Ranks:

4.      Subsidy on Home Loan on Rs. 1,00,000/-(Max): Kendriya Sainik Board reimburses 50% of interest by way of subsidy on home loan from Bank/Public Sector institutions for construction of house to war bereaved, war disabled and attributable peace time casualties.

5.      Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme:  For financially supporting degree level professional education for the wards of War widows (all ranks) and ESM (PBOR) including ex Coast Guard personnel.  Total 5500 scholarships are provided to eligible wards based on merit for the entire duration of the courses.  Priority is given to the wards of War widows/War disabled Soldiers. The rates of Scholarship are as follows: –

1. Rs. 2500/- per month for boys.
2. Rs. 3000/- per month for girls.

6.      Financial support to institutions involved in rehabilitation of ESM:

7.     Reservation of seats in Medical/Dental Colleges for wards of Defence Personnel as Govt. of India Nominee. A total of 42 MBBS seats and 3 seats in BDS courses are allotted by Ministry of Health Family Welfare to KSB for wards of defence personnel as a Govt. of India nominee.

Details of various resettlement schemes implemented by Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) are as follows:

1. Upgrading their skills by imparting necessary training to prepare them to take on new assignments/jobs and assisting ESM in finding re-employment.
2. Constant endeavour to provide employment opportunities in Government/Quasi Government/Public Sector Organizations.
3. Pro-active action to facilitate re-employment of ESM in the Corporate Sector.
4. Providing Jobs through the following Schemes for self-employment:

• Placement Assistance through on-line registration at DGR.  
• DGR Sponsored Security Agency Scheme
• ESM Coal Loading and Transportation Scheme.
• Coal Tipper Attachment Scheme.
• Tipper Attachment Scheme for Widows and Disabled Soldiers. 
• Management of IGL/ MNGL CNG Stations by ESM in NCR/Pune.
• Management of Company Owned Company Operated Retail Outlets. 
• Issue of DGR Eligibility Certificate for Allotment of LPG/Retail Outlet (Petrol/Diesel) Distributorship advertised by Oil Marketing Companies against 8% Reservation Quota.  
• Allotment of Mother Dairy Milk Booths and Fruit & Vegetable (Safal) Shops in NCR.   
• DGR Technical Service Scheme. 
• Resettlement Training/ Skill Development Courses. 

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Annasaheb Shankar Jolle and others in  Lok Sabha today.