Lok Sabha Question No. 2728 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Welfare of Ex-servicemen
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2728

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 th  August, 2023

## WELFARE OF EX-SERVICEMEN

## 2728. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  schemes  being  implemented  for  the  welfare  of  Ex-servicemen,  their widows and children in the country, State/UT-wise including Bihar;
- (b) whether it is a fact that only one unit is running in Ordnance Factory, Rajgir, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any plans to setup Canteen Stores Department (CSD) canteen, Ex-servicemen  Contributory  Health  Scheme  (ECHS)  Polyclinics  and  Zila  Sainik  Board  in Nalanda district of Bihar, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether these facilities can be  provided in Sainik  Area  Prangan in Bihar Sharif so that Ex-servicemen and their dependents residing in Nalanda, Nawada and Sheikhpura can avail of benefits; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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 Ex-servicemen/widows and their dependents in the country including Bihar are at Annexure.

to

- (b):  Yes, Sir. Ordance Factory Nalanda, is a unit of Munitions India Limited (MIL), situated at Rajgir.  There  is  no  other  unit  of  MIL  at  Rajgir.    This  factory  is  engaged  in  manufacturing  of ammunition & explosives.
- (c) to (e):  CSD Canteen: There are already 3 Unit Run Canteen (URCs) in Nalanda District. No proposal for opening of New URC in Nalanda District has been received.
- ECHS : There  is  no  plan  to  set  up  Ex-servicemen  Contributory  Health  Scheme  (ECHS) polyclinic in Nalanda District.

Zila Saiik Board : As per existing policy, new Zila Sainik Boards (ZSB) can be set up by the concerned  State  Governments  themselves  if  population  of  ex-servicemen  and  families of serving/deceased  service  personnel  is  7,500  and  above.    Since  strength  of  ex-servicemen  and families of serving/deceased personnel in Nalanda district is 16829, State Government of Bihar can set up Zilas Sainik Board in Nalanda.

Provision of services to ESM and their dependents of Nalanda, Nawada and Sheikpura districts can be decided by the State Government post setting up of new ZSB in Nalanda. As of now, ESM and their  dependents of Nalanda, Nawada and Sheikpura districts are provided services by ZSB Patna, Gaya and Munger, respectively.

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## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2728 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2023 REGARDING 'WELFARE OF EX-SERVICEMEN'.

## 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 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)   |

## 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 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 scholarships 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: -

| Sl. No.   | Organisation                                                 | Quantum of Aid/Grant                                                                                                                  |
|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (a)       | Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centers (i) Kirkee (ii) Mohali     | Establishment grant (per annum) (i) Rs. 1.20 cr (wef April, 2016) (ii) Rs.10,00,000/- (wef April, 2015) 30,000/- Per 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. 1,350/- per month               |

7. Reservation  of  seats  in  Medical/Dental  Colleges for  wards  of Defence  Personnel as Government 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 Government of India nominee. Priority I is given to wards/widows of killed in action.
8. Rail Travel Concession Identity Cards.   KSB Sectt issues rail travel concession identity cards to war widows.
9. Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme:  The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) provide cashless and capless health care to ex-servicemen, their widows and children.

## 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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The  details  of  various  benefits  given  to  families  of  Next  of  Kins  (NoKs)  of  Battle Casualties by the Central Government to them are as under:-

| Sl. No.   | Monetary Grant/Scheme                                                                                                                                        | Amount                                                                           |
|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| a         | Ex-Gratia (Central)                                                                                                                                          | Rs. 25.00 lacs to Rs. 45.00 lacs                                                 |
| b         | Army Group Insurance (AGI) benefits                                                                                                                          | Rs. 1.00 crore (Officers) Rs. 50.00 lacs (JCO/ORs)                               |
| c         | AGI maturity                                                                                                                                                 | As per contribution accumulated along with compound interest                     |
| d         | Pension                                                                                                                                                      | Liberalized /Special Family Pension 100%/ 60% of last RE (Basic Pay +MSP)        |
| e         | Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG)                                                                                                                         | Based on length of service and emoluments last drawn by the deceased individual. |
| f         | Final Settlement of. Accounts (FSAs). (Including Leave encashment & Defence Services Officers Provident (DSOP)/ Armed Forces Personnel Provident (AFPP) Fund | As applicable. As per contribution accumulated along with compound interest      |
| g         | Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) Grant.                                                                                                                 | Rs. 30,000/- ex-gratia grant to NoKs of deceased soldiers.                       |
| h         | Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund (AFBCWF)                                                                                                           | Rs. 8.00 lacs Addln ex-gratia grant to NoKs of deceased soldiers                 |
| j         | Ex Gratia (Domicile State Government)                                                                                                                        | As applicable                                                                    |
| k         | Death link Insurance Scheme DLIS(JCO/ORs)                                                                                                                    | Rs. 60,000/-                                                                     |
| l         | Personal Accident Insurance (Defence Salary Package Account) by Major Public/Private Sector Banks.                                                           | Rs. 50.00 lacs                                                                   |
|           | Total Entitlement (approx.)                                                                                                                                  | Rs. 1.8 Cr. (Officers) and Rs. 1.3 Cr. (JCO/ORs)                                 |
|           | Other Welfare Benefits/Schemes                                                                                                                               |                                                                                  |

| m.   | Educational Concession children of Armed Forces Officers/JCOs/ORs missing/ disabled/killed in action (w.e.f. 01.07.2017)   | Full reimbursement of tuition fee and bus/actual fare. Full reimbursement of Hostel Charges for those studying in boarding schools and colleges. Books/Stationary: upto Rs. 2,000/-per annum Uniform cost where compulsory: upto Rs. 2,000/- per annum Clothing: upto Rs. 700 per annum per student   |
|------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| n.   | Higher Education to Widows: - (a) Graduation (b) Post Graduation (c) Professional Courses                                  | Rs. 20,000/- Rs. 25,000/- Rs. 50,000/-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| o    | One time Computer Grant (Applicable after 1 st degree course/Graduation &above)                                            | Rs. 35,000/-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| p    | Medical Facilities to the dependents/Noks                                                                                  | 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.                                                                                                     |
| q    | Marriage Grant                                                                                                             | A grant of Rs. 1,00,000/- is given for marriage of daughters, widow re-marriage and orphan son's marriage of battle casualties (fatal), physical casualties (fatal).                                                                                                                                  |
| r    | Vocational Training Grant                                                                                                  | Rs. 20,000/- (One time) for Widows (Pensioner/Non-Pen up to Hav. Rank)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |

| s   | Railway Travel Concession                    | Ministry of Railways provides concessions (upto 75%) on tickets to widows of martyrs and Complementary Card Passes to Chakra awardees and their widows.                                       |
|-----|----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| t   | Telephone Concession                         | Department of Telecommunication provides full and 50% concessions in rental charges to Chakra awardees and war widows respectively.                                                           |
| u   | Government accommodation Retention           | Retention of Govt married accommodation for two years from the death of the Individual extended by one and a half year with the approval of the Competent Authority.                          |
| v   | Reservation/Priority Defence Housing Schemes | Reservation (upto 3%) / Priority in Army Welfare Housing Organization (AWHO) and Air Force Naval Housing Board (AFNHB dwelling units for Widow/Parents of Battle Casualties/Fatal Casualties. |

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