Lok Sabha Question No. 425 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-16
Subject: Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.425

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2016

## RAJYA AND ZILA SAINIK BOARDS

*425.  SHRI  NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the role and responsibilities of the Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards;
- (b) whether the Government has assessed the performance of the said Boards and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (c) whether  basic  amenities  including  housing  and  manpower  are  deficient  in  such Boards  and  if  so,  the  reasons  therefor  and  the  corrective  measures  taken  by  the Government thereon;
- (d) whether  cases  of  corruption  /  irregularities  in  said  Boards  have  been  reported during the last three years; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and  the action taken by the Government thereon?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                   (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

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(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  REFERRED TO IN REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 425 FOR ANSWER ON 16.12.2016

The  Kendriya  Sainik  Board  (KSB)  Secretariat,  an  attached  office under the administrative control of Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, is the Apex Body of Government of India responsible  for  implementing  the Central Government  policies  for welfare and rehabilitation of the  war deceased/disabled, retired service personnel and their dependents. These welfare schemes are implemented  through  Rajya  Sainik  Boards  (RSBs)  located  in  State capitals and Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs) located at district level, which are under the administrative control of respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.  The detailed roles and responsibilities of the Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards are at Annexure.

Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board carries out annual inspection of the  Rajya  Sainik  Boards  to  evaluate  their  functional  efficiency  and effectiveness  with  particular  reference  to  the  implementation  of  the policies on welfare and resettlement of ESM and their dependents.  The RSBs/ZSBs  are  mandated  to  submit  periodical  reports  relating  to  the facilities/logistics  provided  to  the  RSBs/ZSBs  and  the  items  of  work undertaken by them and deficiency, if any.  No significant deficiencies except unfilled vacancies have been reported.

No reports have been received regarding deficiencies on account of  housing  of RSBs/ZSBs.  Deficiencies of manpower in the RSBs and ZSBs have been reported.  Against 783 sanctioned posts in RSBs across all States/UTs, 608 are filled and against 4134 sanctioned posts in ZSBs 2941  are  filled.    The  State  Governments  /  UT  Administrations  are requested at the level of Hon'ble Raksha Mantri to expedite the filling up of these posts.  Secretary, KSB also flags these issues during the annual meetings of the RSBs.

Representations/complaints  regarding  irregularities  in  matters  of appointment  to  the  various  posts  in  RSBs/ZSBs  and  financial  matters have  been  reported  to  be  received  in  KSB  Secretariat  during  the  last three years. The same  were  forwarded  to the concerned  State Governments for appropriate action by KSB Secretariat as the RSBs/ZSBs are under the administrative control of the State Governments.

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## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  IN  THE  REPLY  GIVEN    IN  THE  STATEMENT  IN PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  425  FOR ANSWER ON 16.12.2016

## Role and Responsibilities of Rajya and ZilaSainik Boards

The  Departments  of  Sainik  Welfare  /  RajyaSainik  Boards  in  the States/UTs  exercises  general  control  and  supervision  over  the  Zila Sainik  Boards,  which  are  entrusted  mainly  with  the  following  roles  / responsibilities:

- (a)  Settlement  of  financial  problems  such  as  pension  and  other retirement/release benefits/dues to Ex-Servicemen and grants and assistance in kind to Ex-Servicemen beneficiaries and dependents from the Central/State  Governments or  other Organisations  such as the Indian Red Cross Society etc.
- (b) Maintaining close liaison with the Pension Disbursing authorities/agencies in the District to ensure prompt and correct payment of pension and reliefs to Ex-Servicemen pensioners or their dependents.
- (c) Assist  families  of  serving  personnel  staying  separately during their absence away on duty.
- (d) Promote and maintain welfare measures in the District such as  Rest  House  for  Ex-Servicemen,  old  age  pensioners'  homes, vocational  and  other  training  facilities  and  hostel  for  children  of serving defence personnel and Ex-Servicemen.
- (e) To maintain close and effective liaison for purpose of resettlement  through  employment  of  Ex-Servicemen  with  local Central/State/private  industrial  organisations,  local  employment exchange, District Industries/Block Development Offices:
- (f) Provide all resettlement assistance to war widows, dependents and war disabled as well as to those who died/disabled while in service due to attributable reasons.

:  2  :

(g) Organize Armed  Forces Flag Day under aegis of the President  ZSB  (District  Collector)  and  Flag  Day  collections  and any other authorized fund raising measures in the district. (h) Organize rallies/reunion of Ex-Servicemen.  Organize welfare meetings with President ZSB to resolve problems of ExServicemen and widows, preferably once each month on a fixed day. (i) Explore  avenues  for  providing  educational  and  vocational training  facilities  for  Ex-Servicemen  and  their  dependents  to enable  them  to  seek  employment  or  set  up  self-employment venture.

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