CHANDIGARH, NOV 15
The Haryana Government has decided to set up a separate Department of Sainik Welfare to provide services to Ex-Servicemen (ESM) of the State in a more efficient and effective manner.
A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the State Cabinet held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal here today.
The Department of Sainik Welfare, with an independent Administrative Secretary, will be staffed mostly by Ex-Servicemen who are in a better position to understand the difficulties and needs of Ex-servicemen, War Widows and dependents and they will deliver State and Central Government services to them in a more responsive and sympathetic manner. At present, the Haryana Rajya Sainik Board (RSB) provides services to Ex-Servicemen and Widows.
The new Department will ensure that the benefits under various schemes of both the State and Central Governments are processed, sanctioned and released to the ESM, Widows and their relatives within a stipulated time period and ensure speedy redressal of grievances. Besides, it will also ensure release of ex-gratia funds and provide jobs to dependents. The Department will also monitor and ensure utilization of ESM reservation quota in government jobs by checking roster of all Departments besides ensuring that the reservation in Educational Institutions for wards of ESM is implemented.
The Department will ensure that widows and next of kin of the martyrs and disabled soldiers get their due financial assistance from the State Government that is ex-gratia and cash in lieu of plot and disseminate information to general public regarding the armed forces and take measures to enhance interest in Armed Forces. The other mandate of the department included receiving the mortal remains of the soldiers who attain martyrdom during various operations, organizing their funeral in liaison with Army authorities and provide succour to the family, to help next of kin to get entitled benefits, organize the construction of War Memorials and honour the martyrs by re-naming the Government institutions in their name and help the Civil Administration during natural calamities.
The existing Zila Sainik Boards (ZSB) will be renamed as District Sainik Welfare Offices (DSWO) and the Zila Sainik Welfare Officers will now be called as Additional Director Sainik Welfare-cum-Zila Sainik Welfare Officers.
The Rajya Sainik Board will continue in its present form and synergy between Rajya Sainik Board and Department of Sainik Welfare will be ensured since Secretary of the Board will also be Director of the Department.
Haryana has always been at the forefront in honouring its brave soldiers and officers who have made supreme sacrifices in the service of the nation. The citizens of Haryana have always displayed a passion for serving in the armed forces. With only 1.3 per cent of geographical area and one per cent of the population of the country, Haryana contributes about 10 per cent of the total strength of Armed Forces. It has over 2.82 lakh ex-servicemen, 1,232 War Widows, 83,250 widows and serving personnel. Apart from this, there are 1802 World War II Veterans and 5139 World War II Widows. The State takes extra-ordinary measures to ensure provision of services and facilities to the soldiers, ex-servicemen and their families. State Government annually spends about Rs. 66 crores for the welfare of the serving soldiers, ex-servicemen and their dependents.
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