Welfare of Ex-Servicemen discussed in Parliament

The number of Ex-Servicemen (ESM) in the country as on December 31, 2021 is as follows:

Kendriya Sainik Board implements schemes for welfare and rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen and their dependents across the country. The details are placed below:

1. Benefits given from Armed Forces Flag Day Fund under RMEWF:

1. Serious diseases Grant from AFFD Fund to Non Pensioners ESM of all Ranks:

1. 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).

1. 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)

1. 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: –

• Rs. 2500/- per month for boys.
• Rs. 3000/- per month for girls.

1. Financial support to institutions involved in rehabilitation of ESM:

1. Reservation of seats in Medical/Dental Colleges for wards of Defence Personnel as Govt of India Nominee.  A total of 37 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.

Director General Resettlement (DGR) implements various resettlement schemes. The details are as follows:

• Upgrading their skills by imparting necessary training to prepare them to take on new assignments/jobs and assisting ESM in finding re-employment.

• Constant endeavor to provide employment opportunities in Government/Quasi Government/Public Sector Organizations.
• Pro-active action to facilitate re-employment of ESM in the Corporate Sector.
• Providing jobs through the following schemes for self employment:

1. Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Coal Loading and Transportation Scheme
2. Coal Tipper Attachment Scheme for Widows and Disabled ESM
3. Security Agency Scheme
4. Scheme for providing Technical Services
5. Issue of Eligibility Certificate for Allotment of Oil Product Agencies under 8% Quota Scheme
6. Management of Company Owned Company Operated (COCO) Outlets
7. Allotment of Mother Dairy Milk Booths and Fruit and Vegetable (Safal) Shops
8. Management of CNG station by ESM (Officers) in NCR
9. Issue of Eligibility Certificate for Allotment of regular LPG distributorship
10. Issue of Eligibility Certificate for Allotment of Retail Outlet (Petrol & Diesel)

The benefit amount of following schemes has been increased in last few years. The details are given below:

1. Marriage grant increased from Rs 16000/- to Rs 50000/- per daughter w.e.f. 01 April 2016.
2. Penury grant increased from Rs 1000/- to Rs 4000/- pm w.e.f. 01 April 2017.
3. 100% Disabled Children grant increased from Rs 1000/- to Rs 3000/pm w.e.f. 01 August 2021.
4. Mobility Equipment to disabled ESM increased from Rs 57000/- to Rs 1,00,000/- w.e.f. 01 April 2022.
5. Orphan Grant to the Children of Ex-servicemen increased from Rs 1000/- pm to Rs 3000/-pm w.e.f. 01 April, 2022.

Additional Rs 320 crore was also allocated during FY 2021-22 to clear backlog cases of Penury, Marriage and Education grants.