Lok Sabha Question No. 540 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Financial Assistance to the Dependents of Martyred Soldiers
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 540

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 th  December, 2022

## FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE DEPENDENTS OF MARTYRED SOLDIERS

## 540. SHRI JASWANT SINGH BHABHOR:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government has made any provision to provide free education, health and other facilities to the children of martyred soldiers;

(b)  if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether there is any mechanism to ensure uniform and adequate financial assistance to the family/dependents of martyred soldiers; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## (SHRI AJAY BHATT)

(a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Sir.  The  Government  has  made  various  provision  to  provide  concession  in education, health and other facilities to the children of martyred soldiers.

Children Education Grant : Following educational concession is being given to officers/Personnel Below Officer Rank missing/disabled/killed in action:

(i) Tuition  Fees:  Full  reimbursement  of  tuition  fee  (Capitation  fee  and  caution money  not  included)  levied  by  the  educational  institutions  concerned  (including charges levied for the school bus maintained by the school or actual fares paid for railway pass for students or bus fare certified by the Head of Institutes).

(ii) Hostel Charges: Full reimbursement of Hostel charges for those studying in boarding schools and colleges.

(iii) Cost of books/stationary : Rs. 2000/- (Rupees two thousand only) per annum or the amount claimed by the student, whichever is less.

(iv) Cost of Uniform where this is compulsory : Rs. 2000/- (Rupees two thousand only) or the amount claimed by the student, whichever is less.

(v) Clothing : Rs. 700/- (Rupees seven hundred only) per annum per student or the amount claimed by the student, whichever is less.

Free Health Scheme : ECHS (Ex- Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) provides cashless health care to war-widows/war disabled defence personnel and their NoKs. War Widows are not required to pay the membership fee.

Other facilities:

There  are  other  resettlement  schemes  also  run  by  the  Directorate  General  of Resettlement (DGR) like allotment of petrol pumps etc. to ensure proper resettlement of war widows/ dependents.

(c) & (d):  Yes, Sir. The financial assistance is provided to family/ dependents of martyred soldiers. Details are at Annexure.

*****

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (c)  &  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.540 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2022 REGARDING 'FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE DEPENDENTS OF MARTYRED SOLDIERS'.

## INDIAN ARMY

| ENTITLEMENT SHEET: NEXT OF KIN   | ENTITLEMENT SHEET: NEXT OF KIN                    | ENTITLEMENT SHEET: NEXT OF KIN                                             | ENTITLEMENT SHEET: NEXT OF KIN                                             | ENTITLEMENT SHEET: NEXT OF KIN                                             |
|----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Sl.                              | Entitlements                                      | Entitled Amount                                                            | Entitled Amount                                                            | Entitled Amount                                                            |
| No.                              |                                                   | Officers                                                                   | Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs)                                        | Other Ranks (OR)                                                           |
| 1.                               | Ex-Gratia central Government                      | 25 to 45 lacs                                                              | 25 to 45 lacs                                                              | 25 to 45 lacs                                                              |
| 2.                               | AGI Maturity                                      | As per contribution                                                        | As per contribution                                                        | As per contribution                                                        |
| 3.                               | Pension                                           | Liberalized/ Special Family Pension 100%/ 60% of last RE (Basic Pay + MSP) | Liberalized/ Special Family Pension 100%/ 60% of last RE (Basic Pay + MSP) | Liberalized/ Special Family Pension 100%/ 60% of last RE (Basic Pay + MSP) |
| 4.                               | DCRG                                              | Based on length of service (Max 20 lac)                                    | Based on length of service (Max 20 lac)                                    | Based on length of service (Max 20 lac)                                    |
| 5.                               | FSA (Including leave encashment& DSOP/ AFPP Fund) | As applicable                                                              | As applicable                                                              | As applicable                                                              |
| 6.                               | Ex-Gratia (ACWF)                                  | 800000                                                                     | 800000                                                                     | 800000                                                                     |
| 7.                               | Ex-Gratia (Domicile State Government)             | As applicable                                                              | As applicable                                                              | As applicable                                                              |

| ASSITANCE BEING PROVIDED BY DTE OF INDIANARMY VETERANS (DIAV) NoK (BC Fatal)   | ASSITANCE BEING PROVIDED BY DTE OF INDIANARMY VETERANS (DIAV) NoK (BC Fatal)    | ASSITANCE BEING PROVIDED BY DTE OF INDIANARMY VETERANS (DIAV) NoK (BC Fatal)         | ASSITANCE BEING PROVIDED BY DTE OF INDIANARMY VETERANS (DIAV) NoK (BC Fatal)                            |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Sl. No.                                                                        | Category                                                                        | Amount                                                                               | Remarks                                                                                                 |
| (a)                                                                            | Financial Grants                                                                | Financial Grants                                                                     | Financial Grants                                                                                        |
|                                                                                | Ex-Gratia out of Army Central Welfare Fund (K) is provided to NoK of BC (Fatal) | Rs 8,00,000                                                                          | 1 st Tranche - 100000 (on occurrence of casualty) 2 nd Tranche - 700000 (On receipt of final documents) |
| (b)                                                                            | Welfare Schemes                                                                 | Welfare Schemes                                                                      | Welfare Schemes                                                                                         |
|                                                                                | (i) Daughter's marriage/ orphan son's marriage remarriage of widow              | Rs 1,00,000                                                                          | Rs 1,00,000                                                                                             |
|                                                                                | (ii) Education Scholarship to Children (aa)Upto graduation                      | Education scholarship covering the entire expenditure up to graduation through CW- 3 | Education scholarship covering the entire expenditure up to graduation through CW- 3                    |
|                                                                                | (ab) Post Graduation                                                            | Rs 25,000 per year (max)                                                             | Rs 25,000 per year (max)                                                                                |
|                                                                                | (ac) Professional Courses                                                       | Rs50,000 per year (max)                                                              | Rs50,000 per year (max)                                                                                 |
|                                                                                | (iii) One Time Computer Grant for wards &widows (pursuing graduation &above)    | Rs 35,000                                                                            | Rs 35,000                                                                                               |

| (iv) Higher Education of Widow   |                          |
|----------------------------------|--------------------------|
| (aa) Graduation                  | Rs 20,000 per year (max) |
| (ab) Post Graduation             | Rs 25,000 per year (max) |
| (ac) Professional Courses        | Rs 50,000 per year (max) |

## INDIAN NAVY

Pensionary benefits (LFP/SFP/OFP, Ex-Gratia, DCRG/Gratuity) as per entitlement are paid to  NOKs of the Naval Personnel. Financial assistance in terms of benefits like ex-gratia is provided  under  various  categories  to  widows  &  dependents  of  deceased  soldiers  as  per pension regulation promulgated by the Government.  Family pension and gratuity to families and dependents is based on the last pay drawn and last rank held by the deceased soldiers at the time of his death whilst Ex-gratia amount is given to the NoK of a soldier killed in action or in course of duty irrespective of rank and qualifying service, based on circumstances of death. Ex-Gratia compensation are given in the range of Rs.25-45 lakhs.

## INDIAN AIR FORCE

An  institutional  mechanism  by  way  of  Standard  Operating  Procedure  (SOP)  for  timely dispensing of pension and other Non-Effective(NE) benefit to NoK/dependents has been put in place in IAF. However, the following Pensionary benefits are being provided to the Next of Kin (NoK) of the Air Warriors killed in action as per the Govt  Policy. :-

- (i) Liberalized Family Pension (LFP) . Liberalized Family Pension (LPF) is being granted to Next of Kin of the Air Warriors killed in Action.  It is granted in case of death of an Armed Forces  Personnel  due  to  acts  of  Violence/attack  by  terrorist,  anti-social  elements,  enemy action in international war, action during deployment with a peace keeping mission abroad, border skirmishes etc.  It is granted @ 100% of reckonable emolument + admissible Dearness Relief applicable from time to time.  It continues even after re-marriage of the widow.
- (ii) Death  cum  Retirement  Gratuity  (DCRG).    It  is  payable  to  the  widow/  NOK/ nominated family member of the deceased officer/Airmen/NCs(E) who die in harness as per the length of qualifying service.
- (iii) Ex-Gratia Payment : Ex-gratia Lump Sum Compensation given as per the following details:-

| Sl. No.   | Circumstances                                                      | Rates (in Rs)   |
|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
| (aa)      | Death occurring due to accident in course of performance of duties | 25 Lakhs        |

| (ab)   | Death in the course of performance of duties attributed to acts of violence by terrorists, anti-social elements etc.                                                                                                       | 25 Lakhs   |
|--------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| (ac)   | Death occurring in border skirmishes and action against militants, terrorist, extremists, sea pirates.                                                                                                                     | 35 Lakhs   |
| (ad)   | Death occurring while on duty in the specified high altitude, inaccessible border posts, on account of natural disasters, extreme weather conditions.                                                                      | 35 Lakhs   |
| (ae)   | Death occurring enemy action in war or such war like engagements, which are specifically notified by Ministry of Defence and death occurring during evacuation of Indian National from a war-torn zone in foreign country. | 45 Lakhs   |

## THE DETAILS OF WELFARE SCHEMES RUN BY KENDRIYA SANIK BOARD (KSB)

## 1.  Financial  assistance/  benefits  given  from  Armed  Forces  Flag  Day  Fund  (AFFDF)  under Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF): -

| Sl. No.   | Grants                                                                                                                                             | Amount(in Rs)            |
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|
| (a)       | Penury Grant (65 Yrs and above) (Non-Pensioners uptoHav 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 uptoHav Rank) and upto two children | Rs 1,000/-pm             |
| (c)       | Disabled Children Grant (Pensioner/Non-pen uptoJCO Rank)                                                                                           | Rs 3,000/-pm             |
| (d)       | Daughter's Marriage Grant (upto 02 Daughters) (Pensioner/Non-Pen upto Hav Rank)                                                                    | Rs 50,000/- *            |
| (d)       | Widow Re-Marriage Grant (Pensioner/Non-Pen upto Hav Rank) * If married solemnly on or after 21 Apr 16.                                             | Rs 50,000/- *            |
| (e)       | Medical Treatment Grant (Non-pensioner uptoHav 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 uptoHav Rank)                                                                                   | Rs 20,000/- (One Time)   |

## 2.   Serious diseases Grant from AFFD Fund to Non Pensioners ESM of all Ranks :-

| (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 thanRs 1.00 Lac has been spent on treatment   | 75%/90% of total expenditure for officers and PBOR respectively. Upto Rs 1.25 Lac (max)           |
|-------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (b)   | Dialysis and Cancer treatment                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 75%/90% of total expenditure 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: -

- (a)   Rs. 2500/- per month for boys.

(b)   Rs. 3000/- per month for girls.

## 6.      Financial support to institutions involved in rehabilitation of ESM :-

per inmate

| Ser   | Organisation                                             | Quantum of Aid/Grant                                                                                                      |
|-------|----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (a)   | Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centers (i) Kirkee (ii) Mohali | Establishment grant (per annum) (i) Rs 1.20 cr wef Apr 16 (ii)Rs 10,00,000/- 30,000/- per (wef Apr 2015) annum 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 1350/- 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 killed in action.

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

*****