In a significant move aimed at supporting India's veteran community, the Chandigarh administration has announced a substantial increase in financial benefits for ex-Servicemen and their families. The decisions, taken to provide better social security, were finalized during the annual meeting of the managing committee for the Special Fund for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen.
Enhanced Monthly Assistance for Veterans and Widows
The key changes focus on direct financial support for two vulnerable groups. First, the monthly assistance for ex-Servicemen—specifically Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Ranks (OR)—who retired or were released without a pension has been raised. For those aged above 65 and living in penury, the aid has been increased from ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 per month.
Second, recognizing the plight of families who lost their breadwinners, the administration has doubled the financial aid for widows. Assistance for widows of personnel who died in harness, up to the rank of Subedar Major or its equivalent in the Navy and Air Force, has been raised from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000.
Boost to Special Fund and High-Level Meeting
Beyond individual aid, the corpus meant for broader welfare initiatives has also received a major boost. The annual grant for the Special Fund for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen has been enhanced from ₹5.5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. This fund is crucial for undertaking larger rehabilitation projects and providing emergency support to veterans in need.
These important decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by UT Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad at the new Secretariat on Monday. The meeting saw the participation of key officials including Home Secretary Mandip Singh Brar and Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, who also serves as the president of the Zila Sainik Board.
Defence Community Representation
The meeting included strong representation from the defence services community to ensure the policies are well-informed. Representatives from the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare included Air Marshal Sukhchain Singh, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Brig Gurgopat Singh (Retd), and Lt Col TS Tomar.
Col HS Ghuman, the Zila Sainik Welfare Officer, presented a briefing to the committee on the various welfare initiatives that had been undertaken for veterans over the past year. This review likely formed the basis for the new enhancements, highlighting areas where increased support was most needed.
The revisions underscore the administration's commitment to honoring the service of military personnel and providing a stronger safety net for veterans and their families during times of financial hardship.
