Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare
Tags: Veterans

In view of the expanding population of ex-servicemen (ESM) and widows, there were persistent demands from Service Hqrs. and various associations for a separate department to look after the welfare, resettlement and rehabilitation of ESM, war widows and their dependents. In 1986, a decision was taken to create an independent resettlement division in the Department of Defence.

The office of Directorate General of Resettlement implements various Policies / Schemes / Programmes for pre and post retirement training, re-employment and self- employment of ex-servicemen. The DGR is assisted in its task by 5 Dte. Resettlement Zones (DRZs) at each of the 5 Commands.

Central Organisation, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme takes care of the healthcare and medical needs of Ex-servicemen and their dependents through a network of 427 polyclinics across the country.

The Pension Division of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare deals with pension policies for the Armed Forces personnel and redressal of grievances of Ex-servicemen.

For more information visit: http://desw.gov.in/ ; https://www.dgrindia.com/

Indian Army:

Veterans Corner-

A Veterans Cell was raised in April 2013 as a single window for the redressal of veterans’ issues and aspirations at Army HQ level. Since then, its role and charter has expanded considerably, to include matters beyond the usual pension and welfare related issues. It does not only interact with the line directorates and welfare societies at the AG Branch, but also with other directorates, state governments, skilling agencies and placement partners across the country. These enhanced functions required the scaling up of the Army Veterans Cell into the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV) at the AG Branch. It now functions directly under the Adjutant General, thereby according the required importance to the management of Veteran affairs in the Indian Army.

Structure and Salient Characteristics: DIAV

The Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV) section is also tasked to operate the Indian Army Veterans Web Portal and any other portals or links that the Organization might be asked to field in the future.

• Pensions & Entitlement Section: This section shall be the bulwark of the directorate and will be responsible for all functions pertaining to pensions and entitlements, including sanction, disbursal, and related legal redress and correction. The section will maintain close liaison with the Manpower Planning & Personnel Services Directorate at AG Branch, as also the Record Offices and PCDA (O) & PCDA (P) to provide the necessary advice and assistance to veterans, widows and disabled soldiers. In due course, this section will also take on the functions of CPGRAMS that are presently being handled by the Personnel Services Directorate at Army HQ. The section will also host the databases of the Manpower Planning Directorate on a shared basis to provide real time information on personnel records to the retired fraternity.

• Benefits & Welfare Section: This section shall be responsible for grievance management relating to all services deemed admissible to a veteran post-retirement, including medical, education, housing, re-employment insurance related issues, etc. The section will maintain contact and liaise with the AWPO, AWHO, AWES, AGI and ECHS on all policy and delivery related matters that are of concern to the veteran fraternity. This section will also be wholly responsible for the conception and management of the Veterans E-lobby established in the DIAV.

• Skilling and Transition Section: This section is spearheading the Skilling initiative undertaken by the Indian Army in collaboration with Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship through National Skill Development (NSDC) to facilitate suitable 2nd career options for prospective retirees. All Regt Centres are currently conducting Skill training by NSDC accredited trainers. DIAV has been instrumental in skilling more than 20,000 prospective retires in 2017. Concurrently NSDC aligned courses are also being made available to the army spouses & wards at the numerous Army Skill Training Centres (ASTCs) coming up at various Cantts and mil stns with opportunity to either pick up a job or commence home entrepreneurship. National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) certificates are awarded to all successful candidates undergoing skill courses at Regt Centres and ASTCs that have recognition across the country.

Support at Veterans E-Lobby

The Veterans E-lobby is a unique facility that is currently in the process of being set up at the DIAV. Once it is up and running, it will offer a range of advisory services to the veterans, widows, disabled soldiers and wards. The E-lobby is designed to provide the following services:

• Banking Services: Banking advice and services relating to pension matters. The SBI and PNB Service Centres have already been incorporated and they have fielded top class banking advice and facilities for the veteran fraternity.

• Disability Care & Support Services: A multi-brand facility has been established to showcase new products for disabled soldiers at the E-lobby. Currently these include HONDA MOTORS and ALIMCO, which have been active in this field. New partners are being identified to provide quality disability care and support products to our veteran community.

• NSDC Skilling Services: A National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) backed Liaison Office is being established at the E-lobby. This office will field Liaison Officers / Consultants from a range of NSDC Sector Skill Councils for advising institutions and individuals about the possible opportunities for skill development, assessment and certification.

• Widow Care & Support Services: A Widows Care and Support Office is proposed to be established at the E-lobby, in due course. This office will provide professional consultancy to the widows and wards, as per their needs. This office will collaborate with the AWWA at the functional level.

• Financial Advisory Services: The DIAV shall also field professional financial advisory services at the E-lobby in due course. The consultants shall render advice to the veterans and widows on various financial products and opportunities, to ensure the viability and security of any personal investments.

• Miscellaneous Services: DIAV has also catered for intra-cantonment transport services as a welfare measure for veterans. DIAV van (8-seater) picks up and drops veterans from designated points around the cantonment, in accordance with standing routes and time schedules.

• Eligibility for Canteen facility: TA personnel who have completed minimum five years of physical service honorary with regular TA Bn are authorized all canteen facilities while in service/honorable discharge/retirement.

• Provision for Medical Treatment in Military Hospital: Ex-servicemen 80 years and above are given priority in admission to service hospitals.

Veterans Outreach Android Based Mobile App

Veterans Outreach Mobile App (Android based) was launched on 07 Dec 16 by Chief of the Army Staff with an aim to provide a platform for the veteran community to connect directly to the redressal agencies for their grievances. Mobile app can be downloaded from Google Play Store free of cost on your mobile. The app has been upgraded in Dec 17 with a vibrant interface and additional features for better facilities.

Indian Navy

The Naval Pension Office (NAVPEN) has been set up as a single window organization for managing all activities related to award of pension, (including disability/invalid pensions) as also resolution of legal and medical/ECHS issues, ex-servicemen welfare, etc for officers and sailors. The unit also acts as a nodal agency for matters pertaining discharge/release formalities, legal issues, aspects pertaining ECHS and ex-servicemen welfare. The unit maintains records of all naval personnel who have retired /discharged from naval service. The unit is a single point information source to ex-naval personnel on policy matters related to pension and welfare. Naval Pension Office (NAVPEN) is an independent organisation within the premises of INS Tanaji and functioning under the Command and Control of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, who exercises, Administrative and Financial control of NAVPEN. Functional control of NAVPEN is being exercised by IHQ, MoD(N).

Naval Pension Office (NAVPEN) has been set up to give 100 % undivided attention to Naval Veterans. The unit is geared to undertake timely processing of service/family pension, Release formalities of retiring sailors and updation/verification of documents of Naval veterans. Being a record office, it is our foremost duty to respond promptly and initiate timely action to the satisfaction of veterans. NAVPEN has initiated various actions for digitization of old records, automation of office and will continue to offer credible and assured service to our veterans who gave us the today’s Navy.

For more information: https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/navpen/ ; https://indiannavy.nic.in/desa/home;

https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/veterans;https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/inpa/pages/about

Indian Air Force

Air Force Association was formed on September 15, 1980, as a non-political body and registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, with a mandate to promote the welfare of retired Air Force personnel, their families and families of those who are deceased.

It has around 60,000 members and is functioning on all India basis with 18 branches in various State capitals and 2 abroad. Besides promoting welfare of retired Air Force personnel, the Association is also committed to preserve the memories of its meritorious members and gallant air warriors

The President of the Association, according to the constitution, is always the last retiring Chief of the Air Staff.

Aims & Objectives

To provide facilities for those who have served in and retired from the Air Force to maintain contact and fraternal relationship between themselves.

To preserve the memory of and to honour those who have died while in the Air Force service or having served in the Air Force have died after their retirement.

To establish and manage alone or in co-operation with others, hostels, hospitals, guesthouses, “SENIOR CITIZEN HOMES’ etc for the retired fraternity, widows, other Air Force personnel and their dependents.

To assist the retirees/widows in finding suitable employment or otherwise to help them in their resettlement and rehabilitation. Also, to provide assistance to them in matters concerning pension, grants, gratuities, allowances etc.

To inculcate among the retirees/widows the spirit of self-help and assist them in establishing small or medium size industries, poultry and dairy farms, workshops, vehicle servicing stations, transport services, commercial services or other gainful activities in consultation with Dte. of Resettlement, Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India.

For more information: https://www.afa-india.org/introduction-aims-objectives

IAF Placement Cell has been established at Air Headquarters, Directorate of Air Veterans.

For more Information: https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/directorate-air-veterans-iaf-pensioners#;https://www.iafpc.co.in/#

Ex-servicemen Information Link Sources:

Directorate General Resettlement, Department of Ex-Servicemen (Ministry of Defence)

https://www.dgrindia.com/

Indian Army Veterans Portal

https://www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=0&linkid=14&lid=16

https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=2MMVaLH6JImH7sPRc7GkBw==&ParentID=0jIQyByRrbceGmHRy0qmdg==&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ==

Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare

https://www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=0&linkid=14&lid=16

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare

http://desw.gov.in/

Provisions regarding payment of pension to Defence pensioner/ family pensioners on the basis of Life certificates https://www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in/showfile.php?lang=1&level=2&&sublinkid=395&lid=392

Eligibility for Canteen facility

https://www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in/showfile.php?lang=1&level=2&&sublinkid=394&lid=393

Grant Transport allowance to Orthopedically handicapped Central Government employees

https://www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in/showfile.php?lang=1&level=2&&sublinkid=396&lid=391

Pensionary entitlements

https://www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=1&&sublinkid=195&lid=208

Benefits & Service

https://www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=1&&sublinkid=199&lid=212

Bank

https://www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=1&&sublinkid=383&lid=384

Provision for Medical Treatment in Military Hospital

https://www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in/showfile.php?lang=1&level=1&sublinkid=85&lid=83

Directorate of Ex-servicemen Affairs (Navy)

https://indiannavy.nic.in/desa/home

https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/veterans

https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/navpen/

https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/inpa/pages/about

Directorate of Air Veterans for IAF Pensioners (Airforce)

https://www.afa-india.org/introduction-aims-objectives

https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/directorate-air-veterans-iaf-pensioners#

https://www.iafpc.co.in/#