MORE VIABLE WELFARE SCHEMES FOR
EX-SERVICEMEN STRESSED
KENDRIYA
SAINIK BOARD MEETS
The Minister of State
for Defence Professor Chamanlal Gupta has stressed on the increased
need to workout more viable welfare schemes for ex-servicemen
and their dependents. Inaugurating the 25th Meeting
of the Kendriya Sainik Board here today he sought active participation
of States, Union Territories and the Service Chiefs in introducing
new rehabilitation measures and also making the existing ones
more effective. Referring to the recently introduced Ex-servicemen
Contributory Health Scheme, Professor Gupta said that this will
be beneficial to pensioners and ex-servicemen.
The Minister
said that the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen and their dependents
can be cone properly, only if the leadership in the States gives
directions and monitors this aspect from time to time. Professor
Gupta noted with regret that although that the centre shares the
establishment expenditure of the Department of Sainik Welfare
with each State / UT this department is not functioning satisfactorily
in some of them. He said the Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards in the
States need to be given adequate powers and equipped properly
so that they could do justice to their duties. Prof. Gupta felt
that in some states, even the basic government infrastructure
has not been provided to Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards. The Minister
said some Sainik Boards are being headed by civilian officers
of the State Governments, while as per the Ministry’s of Defence
recommendations, all Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards should be headed
by ex-Defence officers of the appropriate rank. He said, that
the Sainik Board throughout the country need to take a fresh look
and revitalise, to cater to the advancements taking place in the
society. Towards this end, a study has been undertaken by Institute
of Technology Management, Mussoorie, which is likely to give its
recommendations shortly, he added.
While appreciating
the role of majority of the State Governments in extending welfare
packages to the families of Kargil martyrs, Professor Gupta urged
the States to continue to provide more such concessions. The Minister
noted that there is a need to coordinate and synergise the efforts
of the Central and State Governments to meet the expectations
of ex-servicemen and their families.
Referring to
the post resettlement training for the ex-servicemen, the Minister
said that this is being organised only in four/five states under
the aegis of their department of Sainik Welfare and paid for by
the Directorate General, Resettlement under the Ministry of Defence.
The Minister requested other States and UTs to take initiatives
in this regard. Expressing his distress over the dilapidated conditions
of most of the Sainik rest houses in the country, the Minister
said that maintenance of these rest houses needs to be looked
into urgently.
Later the Minister
presented trophies for the year 2000 to various states / UTs for
their role in collecting contribution for Armed Forces Flag Day
Fund. Tamil Nadu and NCT Delhi received the trophies for highest
collection in State and UT category respectively. The trophies
for highest per capita collection went to Arunachal Pradesh and
Pondicherry.
The daylong meeting
of the Kendriya Sainik Board is being attended by senior representatives
from various States / UTs. The Kendriya Sainik Board is the national
apex body that makes policy decisions on the welfare and rehabilitation
of ex-servicemen, widows, disabled soldiers and dependants. Defence
Minister is the President of the Board which has 44 other members,
including 13 Chief Ministers, six Ministers of State from Centre
and State Governments, three Members of Parliament and the three
service Chiefs. The Board meets once a year to review outstanding
issues related to resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen and
considers proposals regarding new schemes.
