Punjab minister Mohinder Bhagat inaugurates Sainik Rest House renovation, pledges support to ex-servicemen

Punjab Defence Services Welfare, Freedom Fighters and Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat on Thursday visited the District Defence Services Welfare Office, Hoshiarpur.

On the occasion, he paid tribute to martyred soldiers by laying a wreath at the War Memorial and inaugurated the renovation of the Sainik Rest House. Besides this, he also presented cheques to needy ex-servicemen and their families. Earlier, a splendid Guard of Honour was accorded to them by a contingent of Punjab Police.

Addressing the function, Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat said that ex-servicemen are the pride of our nation and the State Government is fully dedicated to honouring and ensuring the welfare of them and their families. He added that if any soldier or their family faces any problem, they should immediately inform the District Defence Services Welfare Officer so that the issue can be resolved promptly.

He also directed that quarterly meetings be held under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner on issues related to the welfare of ex-servicemen, which are currently being conducted regularly.

Earlier, Lt Col (Retd) Sarabjit Singh Saini welcomed the Cabinet Minister and informed that there are 117 retired officers, 61,621 ex-servicemen, 7,428 widows, 137 war widows, and 221 award winners in Hoshiarpur district. He added that the department is also providing facilities such as computer courses and re-employment opportunities to ex-servicemen and their families.

On the occasion, Director Defence Services Welfare Punjab, Brigadier Bhupinder Singh Dhillon, said that the department is delivering the benefits of various schemes and new policies being run by the state and central governments to the ex-servicemen.

Also present on this occasion were Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Nikas Kumar, SDM Dasuha Kanwaljit Singh, SP Dr. Mukesh, Vice President District Sainik Board Colonel (Retd.) Maluk Singh, Colonel (Retd.) Raghbir Singh, besides officers of district administration and police administration, employees of the District Defence Services Welfare Office, Veer Nari, ex-servicemen, and their families in large numbers.