Lok Sabha Question No. 618 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-26
Subject: Rescue Operation at Siachen
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.618

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  FEBRUARY, 2016

## RESCUE  OPERATION  AT  SIACHEN

618. SHRI  R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has launched any rescue operation to locate / retrieve the bodies of soldiers who were buried in the avalanche in Siachen recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Central  Government  announced  any  special  compensation  to  the families of those soldiers died on duty; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                            (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

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(a) & (b): On  the  night  of  02/03  Feb,  2016,  a  massive  ice  wall    facing Sonam  Post  in  Northern  Glacier  (Siachen)  suddenly  collapsed  and    10 Army  personnel  were  trapped  under  it.  All  possible  resources  of  the Army/Air Force were mobilized and directed towards the rescue operation launched  to      rescue  them.  On  08 th Feb,  2016,  mortal  remains  of  five soldiers  were  recovered  and  Lance  Naik  Hanumanthappa  Koppad    was rescued  alive.  On  09 th Feb,  2016,  mortal  remains  of  the  remaining  four soldiers  were  recovered.    Lance  Naik  Koppad,  however,  expired  on  11 th Feb, 2016 despite medical efforts at Research and Referral Hospital, New Delhi.

- (c) & (d): The details of benefits/compensation admissible to Next of Kin of the soldiers (fatal battle casualties) is annexed.

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## ANNEXURE  REFERRED IN THE REPLY GIVEN IN PARTS (c) & (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 618 FOR ANSWER ON 26.2.2016

## MONETARY COMPENSATION TO SOLDIERS' FAMILIES:

## I. Ex Gratia Lump Sum Compensation from Central Government:

- (i) Death occurring due to accidents in the course of duties  -  Rs.10.00 lakh
- (ii) Death in the course of duties attributable to acts of violence by terrorists, etc. -Rs.10.00 lakh
- (iii) Death  occurring  during  enemy  action    in  war  or  border  skirmishes  or  in  action against militants, terrorists, etc.   -  Rs.15.00 lakh
- (iv) Death occurring during enemy action in International war or war like engagements specifically notified   Rs.20.00 lakh
- (v) Death  occurring  while  on  duty  in  the  specified  high  altitude,  inaccessible  border posts, etc. on  account of natural disasters, extreme weather conditions -  Rs.15.00 lakh.

## II. Details of other Monetary Benefits entitled to Next of Kin (NoK) of Battle Casualty:

- (i) Liberalised  Family Pension as applicable to Battle Casualty that is equal to emoluments last drawn by the deceased individual.
- (ii) Death-cum-Retirement  Gratuity that  is  based  on  length  of  service  rendered  and emoluments last drawn by the deceased individual.
- (iii) Army Group Insurance Fund:-
- (iv) Army Group Insurance Maturity that is based on the contribution made by the deceased Army personnel.
- (v) Army Wives Welfare Association Fund:-
- (vi) Army Officers Benevolent Fund:-

- a. Officers :

Rs. 60.00 lakh

- b. JCO/ORs :

Rs. 30.00 lakh

- a. Officers :

Rs.10,000/-

- b. JCOs/ORs

:

Rs.15,000/-

Officers :

Rs.50,000/-

- (vii) Army Central Welfare Fund: Rs.30,000/-

## III. Other Benefits:

- (i) Education Concession Card
- (ii) Air Travel Concession Card
- (iii) Telephone Concession

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