Lok Sabha Question No. 4969 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: Welfare and Rehabilitation Scheme for Ex-servicemen
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4969

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st  March, 2023

## WELFARE AND REHABILITATION SCHEME FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

## 4969.  SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of welfare and rehabilitation schemes rolled out for ex-servicemen along with the financial assistance provided to them;
- (b)  the financial assistance provided to ex-servicemen under Raksha Mantri's Discretionary Fund (RMDF) during the last three years and the number of beneficiaries thereof, year-wise;
- (c)  the details of major activities being undertaken by Kendriya Sainik Board and the manner in which it is beneficial for ex-servicemen and their families; and
- (d)  the efforts being made by the Government to make the complaint redressal mechanism effective and speedy for redressing complaints of ex-servicemen?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

- (a):    The  details  of  welfare  and  rehabilitation  schemes,  financial  assistance  provided  to Ex-servicemen/widows and their dependents are at Annexure-I.
- (b):  Raksha Mantri Discretionary Fund has been renamed as Raksha Mantri Ex-servicemen Welfare  Fund  (RMEWF).  The  details  of  payments  made  to  the  beneficiaries  of  ESM  and their dependents under (RMEWF) for the last three years is as under: -
- (c):  The details of main activities of Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) and the manner in which it is beneficial for ESM and their families   is at Annexure-II.
- (d):  A single window online grievance redressal mechanism (CPGRAMS) was launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in which any citizen can lodge grievances online and get response from the concerned department by clicking a single click  on  the  portal.      The  Department  of  Ex-servicemen  Welfare  has  extended  this  online grievance  redressal  mechanism  (CPGRAMS/CPENGRAMS) to ex-servicemen also so that the

| FY      |   Total beneficiaries | Total amount paid   |
|---------|-----------------------|---------------------|
| 2019-20 |                 28215 | Rs. 81.23 Cr        |
| 2020-21 |                 38025 | Rs. 132.96 Cr       |
| 2021-22 |                182728 | Rs. 395.69 Cr       |

grievances of Ex-Servicemen can be redressed efficiently and in a time bound manner.  The link of CPGRAMS/CPENGRAMS website has also been given in the website of Department of  Ex-Servicemen Welfare, CGDA  and  all  Pension  Sanctioning Authorities so that ex-servicemen can lodge their grievances in any websites from their home by clicking on the pgportal.gov.in.  Further,  a  dedicated  portal  (Raksha  Pension  Shikayat  Nivaran  Portal)  for redressal of Pension grievances of Ex-servicemen (ESM) has been launched on 14 th January, 2022.  A Toll-free Number 1800111971 has also been made operational in order to facilitate the ESM pensioners for smooth redressal of their grievances.

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## ANNEXURE-I  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4969 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.03.2023 REGARDING 'WELFARE AND REHABILITATION SCHEME FOR EX-SERVICEMEN'.

1.  Financial assistance/ benefits given from Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) under Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF) :-
2.   Serious diseases Grant from AFFD Fund to Non Pensioners ESM of all Ranks: -

| Sl. No.   | Grants                                                                                                                                              | Amount(in Rs.)            |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| (a)       | Penury Grant (65 Years and above) (Non-Pensioners upto Hav Rank)                                                                                    | Rs. 4,000/-pm (Life time) |
| (b)       | Education Grant (upto two children) (i) Boys/Girls upto Graduation (ii) Widows for PG (Pensioner/Non Pensioner upto Hav Rank) and upto two children | Rs. 1,000/-pm             |
| (c)       | Disabled Children Grant (Pensioner/Non-pen upto JCO Rank)                                                                                           | Rs. 3,000/-pm             |
| (d)       | Daughter's Marriage Grant (upto 02 Daughters) (Pensioner/Non-Pen upto Hav Rank) Widow Re-Marriage Grant                                             | Rs. 50,000/- *            |
| (e)       | Medical Treatment Grant (Non-pensioner upto Hav Rank)                                                                                               | Rs. 30,000/- (Max)        |
| (f)       | Orphan Grant (Pensioner/Non-pen All Ranks)  Daughters of ex-servicemen till she is married.  One Son of ex-servicemen upto 21 years of age.       | Rs. 3,000/-PM             |
| (g)       | Vocational Trg Grant For Widows (Pensioner/Non-Pen upto Hav Rank)                                                                                   | Rs. 20,000/- (One Time)   |

Upto

| (a)   | Serious Diseases as listed below: - Angioplasty, Angiography, CABG, Open Heart Surgery, Valve Replacement, Pacemaker Implant, Renal Implant, Prostate Surgery, Joint Replacement and Cerebral Stoke. Other Diseases: Where more than Rs. 1.00 Lac has been spent on treatment   | 75% and 90% of total expenditure to Officer and Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) respectively Upto Rs. 1.25 Lac (max)   |
|-------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (b)   | Dialysis and Cancer treatment                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | 75% and 90% of total expenditure to Officer and PBOR respectively Upto a max of Rs. 75,000/- per FY only.                  |

3.    Modified  Scooter Grant:    Rs.  One  lakh provided to those  ESM, who are disabled after service with a disability of 50% or more and who are not covered under the scheme of AG's Branch of IHQ (Army, Navy & Air Force).
4.  Subsidy on Home Loan:   KSB reimburses 50% of interest by way of subsidy on home loan  from  Bank/public  sector  institutions  for  construction  of  house  to  war  bereaved,  war disabled and attributable peace time casualties. Rs. 1,00,000/- (Max)
5.    Prime  Minister's  Scholarship  Scheme:    Total  5500  scholarship  are  provided  to  eligible wards based on merit for the entire duration of the courses. The rates of Scholarship are as follows: -
4. (a)   Rs. 2500/- per month for boys.
5. (b)   Rs. 3000/- per month for girls.
6.  Financial support to institutions involved in rehabilitation of ESM: -

w.e.f April, 2016      Rs. 30,000/-

| Sl. No.   | Organisation                                                 | Quantum of Aid/Grant                                                                                                                        |
|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (a)       | Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centers (i) Kirkee (ii) Mohali     | Establishment grant (per annum) (i) Rs. 1.20 cr w.e.f April, 2016 Rs. 30,000/- Per (ii)Rs. 10,00,000/- Annum (w.e.f April, 2015) per inmate |
| (b)       | All India Gorkha Ex-servicemen welfare association, Dehradun | Rs. 12,00,000/- per annum                                                                                                                   |
| (c)       | Cheshire Homes (i) Lucknow, Delhi &Dehradun                  | Rs. 15,000/- per annum per inmate                                                                                                           |

| (d)   | War Memorial Hostels. There are 36 WMHs which provide shelter to the children of War Widows/War disabled, attributable and non-attributable cases. Rs.   | 1,350/- per month   |
|-------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|

7.  Reservation of seats in Medical/Dental Colleges for wards of Defence Personnel as Govt. of  India  Nominee:    A  total  of  42  MBBS  seats  and  3  seats  in  BDS  courses  are  allotted  by Ministry of Health Family Welfare to KSB for wards of defence personnel as a Govt of India nominee. Priority I is given to wards/widows of defence personnel killed in action.

8.  Rail Travel Concession Identity Cards:   KSB Sectt issues rail travel concession identity cards to war widows.

DETAILS  OF  VARIOUS  RESETTLEMENT  SCHEMES  IMPLMENTED  BY DIRECTORATE GENERAL RESETTLEMENT (DGR)

- a) Upgrading their skills by imparting necessary training to prepare them to take on new assignments/jobs and assisting ESM in finding re-employment.
- b) Constant  endeavor  to  provide  employment  opportunities  in  Government/Quasi Government/Public Sector Organizations.
- c) Pro-active action to facilitate re-employment of ESM in the Corporate Sector.
- d) Providing Jobs through the following Schemes for self-employment.
- i. Placement Assistance through on-line registration at DGR.
- ii. DGR Sponsored Security Agency Scheme
- iii. ESM Coal Loading and Transportation Scheme.
- iv. Coal Tipper Attachment Scheme.
- v. Tipper Attachment Scheme for Widows and Disabled Soldiers.
- vi. Management of IGL/MNGL CNG Stations by ESM in NCR/Pune.
- vii. Management of Company Owned Company Operated Retail Outlets.
- viii. Issue  of  DGR  Eligibility  Certificate  for  Allotment  of  LPG/Retail  Outlet (Petrol/Diesel)  Distributorship  advertised  by  Oil  Marketing  Companies against 8% Reservation Quota.
- ix. Allotment  lof  Mother  Dairy  Milk  Booths  and  Fruit  &  Vegetable  (Safal) Shops in NCR.
- x. DGR Technical Service Scheme.
- xi. Resettlement Training/Skill Development Courses.

RESERVATION  IN  EMPLOYMENT:  The  existing  quota  of  reservations  in employment is available for Ex-Servicemen (ESM) in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) is 14.5% in all Direct Recruitment Group 'C' Posts and 24.5% in all Direct Recruitment Group 'D' Posts. This includes 4.5% for Disabled ESM and Dependents of Service personnel killed in action.

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## ANNEXURE-II  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4969 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.03.2023 REGARDING 'WELFARE AND REHABILITATION SCHEME FOR EX-SERVICEMEN'.

KSB organize and conduct following: -

1. The meeting of KSB and Director/ Secy (RSBs)/DSW.
2. Annual Meeting of Management Committee of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.
3. Periodic meetings of the Executive Committee of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.
4. Progressing implementation of the decisions taken with concerned agencies.
5. Provide  policy  directive,  as  approved  by  the  MoD,  to  Depts  of  Sainik  Welfare  in States / UTs on matters of welfare of Ex-Servicemen.
6. Monitor and guide the Depts of Sainik Welfare in the States in their functioning as per guidelines laid down by KSB / Ministry of Defence.
7. Provide budgetary support for establishment and maintenance costs of Depts of Sainik Welfare and Zila Sainik Welfare Offices to State / UTs.
8. Attend as member of the Selection Committee convened invariably under the Chief Secretary  of  the  State  for  selection  of  Director,  Dept  of  Sainik  Welfare  /  Secretary RSB and Zila Sainik Welfare Officer / Secretary ZSB convened one month prior to the post falling vacant.
9. Inspect  the  Department  of  Sainik  Welfare  of  States  /  UTs  each  year  and  report  on their functioning to State Govt / MoD.
10. Attend  Rajya  Sainik  Board  and  Amalgamated  Fund  Meeting  in  States  as  special invitee.
11. Administer Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF).
12. Deal with redressal and queries related to welfare of Ex-Servicemen and families of deceased service personnel.
13. Operate  the  Scheme  for  allotment  of  Medical,  Dental  and  Engineering  seats  under Ministry of Defence quota.
14. Organize  and  conduct  'Armed  Forces  Flag  Day  Collection'  at  Central  Govt.  Depts located at Delhi.
15. Provide flags, posters and publicity material for conduct of the AFFD in States / UTs and Indian Mission abroad.
16. Operation of centrally sponsored schemes such as RMEWF  (Raksha  Mantri Ex-servicemen Welfare Fund) and PM Scholarship Schemes.
17. Issue  I-Card  for  availing  Rail  Travel  Concession  to  War  Widows  and  to  ESM  in special case.
18. Provide financial assistance to paraplegic homes at PRC Kirkee & Mohali, 36 War Memorial Hostels, Cheshire Homes and various institutes and visit them to check its proper distribution.

19. Advise  on  the  correct  investment  of  the  Amalgamated  Fund  by  the  RSBs  of  the States / UTs.
20. Inspect ZSBs at random to check their functioning and effectiveness.
21.              Allactivities  mentioned  above  cater  for  providing  financial  assistance  related  to welfare  of  ESM  /Widows/wards  and  to  redressal  of  grievances  through  34  Rajya Sainik Boards and 407 Zila Sainik Boards, across the country.

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