Pension, financial aid to kin of dead soldiers given according to records, rules
New Delhi, July 12
In the past one week, two incidents have been reported in which the parents of dead soldiers of the Indian Army have alleged that their daughters-in law got all the financial aid given to family of a soldier dying in the line of duty.
Major Aashish Dhonchak’s family last Sunday met Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and said their daughter-in-law had received all financial and other consequential benefits.
Yesterday, the parents of Captain Anshuman Singh demanded changes in the Indian Army’s criteria for the financial assistance given in case of a soldier’s death. Ravi Pratap Singh said his daughter-in-law Smriti Singh had received most of the entitlements after their son’s death.
With social media being abuzz, sources in the Army today said the rules of the Indian Armed Forces enforced by the Ministry of Defence were clear and they define that pension can only be paid to the wife of the dead soldier. If he is unmarried, it has to be given to his parents.
In case of gratuity, insurance, provident fund and ex-gratia, all payments are given as per records submitted by the soldier himself or herself. At the time of joining the force, a soldier has to write down in his own handwriting as to who is the next of kin (NoK), with full details of his relationships.
Once an officer is married, the Armed forces come out with what is called the ‘Part-II’ order. This names the spouse. The officer again fills in his own handwriting and is free to divide the payments of ex-gratia, provident fund, insurance and gratuity among his parents, wife, his children or even anybody else. Both Major Ashish Dhonchok and Captain Anshuman Singh had mentioned in their own handwriting as to who will get the benefits in case of death.
A lawyer who deals with defence-related cases said the social media buzz was based on ill-information and aimed at blaming the young widow. These are social issues in which the Ministry of Defence cannot do much unless the law on pensions is changed. Nor can anyone in the Armed Forces interfere in the choice of the soldier in deciding, who will be beneficiary for ex-gratia, gratuity, PF or insurance.
