Lok Sabha Question No. 3333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-05
Subject: Assistance to 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. 3333

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 th  August, 2022

## ASSISTANCE TO EX-SERVICEMEN

## 3333. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the financial assistance provided by the Government for implementation of the schemes for Welfare and Rehabilitation of Ex-servicemen;
- (b) the main activities of KendriyaSainik Board and the manner in which the said Board is beneficial for ex-servicemen and their families; and
- (c) the details of efforts made towards making the grievance redressal mechanism effective and speedy for redressal of grievances of ex-servicemen?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

(a):    KendriyaSainik  Board(KSB)  and  Directorate  General  of  Resettlement  (DGR)  are implementing agencies of schemes for welfare and rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen respectively. The details of Financial assistance provided by the Government to KendriyaSainik  Board  (KSB)  and  Directorate  General  of  Resettlement  (DGR)  during  last three years are as under:-

| FY:   | 2020-21 (Actual expenditure)   | 2021-22 (Actual expenditure)   | 2022-23 (Budget Allotment)   |
|-------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|------------------------------|
| KSB   | Rs. 234 Cr                     | Rs. 420 Cr                     | Rs. 150 Cr                   |
| DGR   | Rs. 6.58 Cr                    | Rs.6.7 Cr                      | Rs. 20 Cr                    |

(b):  KSB administers Armed Forces Flag Day Fund(AFFDF) and its related welfare schemes like  RakshaMantri  Ex-Servicemen  Welfare  Fund  (RMEWF).  Besides  guiding,  monitoring, coordinating,  providing  budgetary  support  to  various  RajyaSainik  Boards  and  ZilaSainik Boards  across  the  country,  the  KSB  also  conducts  meeting  with  the  various  States  and stakeholders for improving  the  lives  of  Ex-servicemen.  The  Board  is  beneficial  to  the  Exservicemen  as  it  the  nodal  and  apex  body  for  welfare  of  Ex-servicemen  throughout  the country which is headed by Hon'ble RM.

(c):  The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare has extended the online grievance redressal mechanism  (CPGRAMS/CPENGRAMS)  to  ex-servicemen  also  so  that  the  grievances  of Ex-Servicemen  can  be  redressed  efficiently  and  in  a  time  bound  manners.  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 on any websites from their home by clicking on the pgportal.gov.in.

Further, a dedicated portal (Raksha Pension ShikayatNivaran Portal) for redressal of pension  grievances  of  Ex-Servicemen  (ESM)  has  been  launched  on  14 th January,  2022.  A Toll-free number has also been made operational in order to facilitate the ESM pensioner for smooth redressal of their grievance.

Interactive Voice Response Systems (IVRS) has been establish and operational as an interactive Toll Free Phone Number manned by Call Centre Executives in KSB Sectt.

The names of all RSBs have been included on NIC portal and CPGRAMS portal for speedy disposal of RTI cases and disposal of online grievances received in PG Portal. Case in progress for inclusion of all service Record Offices in the list of addressee on NIC portal.

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