State govt committed to support retired soldiers, families: Shandil

Health and Sainik Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil today said that the youth of the state were playing a crucial role in the country’s armed forces and the government was committed to providing every possible support to the war veterans, disabled soldiers, ex-servicemen, serving personnel and their families.

Chairing a meeting with the officers of Sainik Welfare Department and Himachal Pradesh Ex-servicemen Corporation here today, Shandil said special emphasis was on providing employment opportunities to the retired personnel and their family members. The construction, maintenance and beautification of war memorials and Sainik rest houses was government’s priority.

He said the state government has enhanced the ex gratia by 1.5 times and removed income limit ceiling for eligibility of old-age pension. He said the state government had launched several schemes, programmes and development activities for the welfare, rehabilitation and to financially aid the war veterans, soldiers, ex-servicemen and their families.

While reviewing the works of the Sainik Welfare Department, the minister said it was a matter of pride that in a small hill state of Himachal Pradesh there were 1,191 gallantry/distinguished award winners and the governments has allotted Rs 2.50 crore in the current fiscal for their welfare under Gallantry Award Winners scheme.

While reviewing the activities and initiatives of the corporation, Shandil stated that a total of 4,005 ex-servicemen have been employed in 139 projects of state or central government institutions. He said the corporation was providing loans at subsidised interest rates to support self-employment initiatives.