Agniveer's death brings 'disparity' to fore

Ajay Banerjee

New Delhi, October 23

Army’s Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman’s death during duty at the Siachen Glacier has re-opened a debate on the disparity in compensation to the family of an Agniveer and a regular soldier.

Laxman was the first Agniveer to die on operational duty. Veterans say the pension to the family should be the same as is given to families of full-time soldiers. A stark gap exists in payment of compensation. The Army has said Laxman’s family would get Rs 1 crore as lumpsum compensation, including Rs 48 lakh non-contributory insurance, an ex-gratia relief of Rs 44 lakh and Rs 8 lakh from the Armed Forces Battle Casualty Fund.

Besides, the Seva Nidhi fund contributed by the Agniveer with an equal contribution by the government and interest on it will be payable. The next of kin will also receive his salary for the balance tenure from the date of death (more than Rs 13 lakh).

In the case of a regular soldier, the Ministry of Defence would have paid Rs 50 lakh as insurance. An ex-gratia payout between Rs 35-45 lakh, a gratuity and battle casualty fund.

The widow or parents are entitled to family pension till they are alive. The pension is calculated at 100 per cent of the last pay drawn in case of death in operations. The family gets a monthly amount of about Rs 40,000 which increases as and when the DA is hiked.

Also, the family gets lifelong health and canteen facilities. Children are allowed fully funded free education till graduation in an institute of choice. If a child of a martyred solider clears a medical or an engineerinng entrance exam, the fee is paid by the MoD.

No disability pension

If a full-time soldier is disabled during operations, he gets treatment for life. He gets a pension and an additional disability pension which is tax-free. An Agniveer does not get any disability pension.Nor is he entitled to any medical care.