State launches six schemes for ex-servicemen, their kin

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 12

The state government has introduced six new schemes to provide financial assistance to ex-servicemen or their widows, including grants for availing medical treatment, sustenance, pursuing self-employment or education.

Under the new provisions, a one-time grant of Rs 40,000 can be provided to medical treatment to those who are not drawing pension or are not members of the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme. Family members of defence personnel dying in harness other than battle casualties would also be entitled to a grant of Rs 40,000, while widows will be extended a sustenance allowance of Rs 4,000 per month for two to six months or till their pension is sanctioned.

Provisions have also been made to give a one-time grant of Rs 20,000 for procurement of tool kits to assist in the self-employment of those ex-servicemen or widows who have acquired the requisite skills to utilise them. A one-time grant of Rs 40,000 has been introduced for widows of junior commissioned officers and other ranks at the time of the admission of their children to professional courses such as engineering, MBBS, MBA or MCA.

“These new schemes are part of government’s ongoing endeavour for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families,” said Gurkirat Kripal Singh, Special Principal Secretary to the CM. “Money for the schemes will be made available from the Flag Day Fund,” he added. Brig Satinder Singh (Retd), Director, Defence Services Welfare, said to start with, the widow of a serving soldier had been given a cheque for sustenance allowance.

In addition, coaching classes for IELTS for ex-servicemen and their wards will be started at five centers in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Hoshiarpur and Ropar. Intake would be 30 students per centre and the duration of the course would be four months. These schemes would be executed by the Department of Defence Services Welfare, Punjab.