Himachal Pradesh Strengthens Healthcare Network for Ex-Servicemen with 22 ECHS Polyclinics
In a significant development for military welfare, twenty-two Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) polyclinics are currently operational across Himachal Pradesh, a state renowned for its substantial contributions to the armed forces. Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth provided this update in the Lok Sabha on Friday, highlighting the expansion of medical facilities to include officer cadets who are medically invalidated from their training.
ECHS Benefits Extended to Officer Cadets
Sanjay Seth announced that ECHS medical facilities are now being granted to officer cadets invalidated from training on medical grounds attributable to or aggravated by military training. This policy change, approved by the central government in August last year, ensures that cadets boarded out before completing training due to such disabilities receive quality healthcare. Previously, cadets from institutions like the National Defence Academy (NDA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), and Indian Military Academy (IMA) were ineligible for ECHS as they lacked ex-servicemen status, often causing financial strain on their families.
The decision addresses humanitarian concerns without setting a precedent for other categories, focusing on providing support to those affected by training-related injuries.
Widespread Coverage Across Districts
These ECHS polyclinics have been established in 10 out of Himachal Pradesh's 12 districts, with only Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti currently lacking facilities. The distribution is as follows:
- Kangra district leads with four polyclinics.
- Hamirpur and Mandi districts each have three polyclinics.
- Bilaspur, Shimla, Solan, Chamba, and Una districts each have two polyclinics.
- Sirmaur and Kullu districts each have one polyclinic.
Recently, three new polyclinics became operational at Bhoranj in Hamirpur, Nalagarh in Solan, and Gagret in Una district, further enhancing accessibility for beneficiaries.
Eligibility and CSD Canteen Access
Seth clarified that all defence pensioners who meet the eligibility criteria as ex-servicemen, including those from the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, along with their dependents, are eligible to avail services under the ECHS scheme. Additionally, in response to a question by Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur, the Union minister reported that there are 117 Canteen Stores Department (CSD) canteens functional in the hill state.
All serving and retired armed forces personnel, irrespective of their service, are entitled to CSD facilities, ensuring continued support for their daily needs.
Expansion of Unit Run Canteens
The norms for opening a Unit Run Canteen (URC) require a minimum of 5,000 ex-servicemen in a district or tehsil, while an extension counter needs at least 2,500 ex-servicemen. Additionally, the nearest URC must be more than 50 km away in plains and 30 km away in hilly areas from the proposed site. Over the last five years, nine new ex-servicemen URCs or extension counters were sanctioned in Himachal Pradesh.
The distribution of URCs across districts is as follows:
- Kangra district has the highest number with 31 URCs.
- Shimla district follows with 15 URCs.
- Hamirpur and Mandi districts each have 13 URCs.
- Kullu and Kinnaur districts each have eight URCs.
- Bilaspur and Solan districts each have seven URCs.
- Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti districts each have five URCs.
- Sirmaur district has three URCs.
- Una district has two URCs.
This comprehensive network underscores the government's commitment to supporting the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families in Himachal Pradesh, ensuring they have access to essential medical and retail services.
