Welfare of ESM: MoD statistics

Press Information Bureau Government of India Tuesday, July 27, 2010 Ministry of Defence
The number of ex-servicemen as on date in the country, statewise is as under:

The details of schemes being implemented for the welfare, rehabilitation and resettlement of ex-servicemen is as under:
Training
Ex-Servicemen are given training to prepare them for civilian life. Directorate General Resettlement is entrusted with the responsibility of preparing both-Ex-Servicmen and retiring service personnel for second carrier. Towards this end Officers and PBORs are given resettlement training at IIMs and various other institutes across the country.
Self Employment
The following self-employment schemes are operated for the welfare of officers and PBORs Ex-Servicemen:

Security agencies.

Allotment of surplus army vehicles.

Coal Transportation Scheme.

Allotment of oil product agencies.

Coal Tipper scheme.

Allotment of BPCL GHAR outlets.

Mother Dairy Milk and Fruits and Vegetables shops.

Management of CNG station by ESM officers in NCR.

Management of Toll Plaza under NHAI.
Financial Assistance

Treatment of serious ailments

Supply of modified scooters for ESM paraplegics

Tools kits for ESM technician

Financial assistance for needy ESM for house repair, daughters marriage, children education etc.
Prime Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme
4000 scholarships are awarded every year to the wards of ex-servicemen to pursue technical and professional course.
Funds for maintenance of paraplegic rehabilitation centres, Cheshire home and St. Dustan aftercare organisation and war memorial hostels.
Besides the above the following benefits are also available to Ex-servicemen:

Tuition fee exemption for wards of war widows/war disable ex-Servicemen.

Allotment of medical / BDS seats to wards of defence personnel

Reservation in State Government jobs and in professional colleges for wards of ESM/widows.

Reservation in allotment of house sites/flats.

Cash incentives for winners of gallantry awards.

Exgratia grant to war widows.

Concession in fare for rail and air to recipients of gallantry awards, permanently disabled officers and war widows.

Legal assistance and exemption of court fee

10 to 24.5 % reservation in Group C and D posts in Central and State Government, PSUs, nationalized banks and paramilitary forces.
Medical Facility
Along with the above benefit 100 % medical coverage is provided to ex-servicemen pensioners through Ex-Service Contributory health Scheme (ECHS), who are members of the scheme.
State-wise details of beneficiaries/expenditure are not maintained, however during the last three years 4326 officers, 83079 PBORs and 2998 Ex-Servicemen were trained for resettlement. In addition 1,17,779 Ex-Servicemen were provided employment during this period through Directorate General Resettlement. The expenditure for resettlement and welfare during the last three years is Rs. 100.18 crores. Moreover, Rs. 2009.77 crores was spent on medical treatment of Ex-Servicemen and their dependents.
The amount for rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen is based on the yearly requirement as projected by the implementing agencies. Ex-Servicemen are getting appropriate placements.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Harishchandra Chavan in Lok Sabha today. DM / RAJ

Comments and Observations
May I thank Cdr Arun Saigal for the information as it will be quite useful for ESM? Without in any way casting aspersions on his good intention and effort, my (surely of most of you all), experience is that most of the government schemes and promises remain on paper and are never implemented, statistics are old and not authenticated.
I quote my personal experience. I lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra only last year through an email (according to a scheme announced by him that any person can approach him directly through an email for any deficiency in the service provided by his govt. This mail has never been acknowledged till date, let alone redressing my grievance. The reason, as later revealed by the newspapers, is that all the computers with the various departments in Mantralaya are gathering dust and never used by the personnel- these include the Secretary level persons too.
As all will agree, that such schemes are announced for publicity purposes (votes) and to mislead the general public. We have evidenced this regarding OROP announced by no less a person than the President of India in the Parliament. And we can do nothing about such shameless acts.
Never believe our governments.
Regards,
Shashank Bendre
Wg Cdr (Retd)

Dear Friends,
Please refer to mail by Veteran Arun Saigal.
These figures are grossly incorrect as these pertain to only those ESM who have Registered themselves with the Deptt of Defence (Sainik) WElfare of respective states and UTs. The list shows that Chandigarh has only 375 ESM, whereas it has five dedicated Defence Sectors (32 to 36), in addition to large numbers staying in other sectors. The DSOI and Air Force Institutes at Chandigarh have membership running in to thousands. Chandigarh alone has about twenty thousand Veterans but only a minuscule numbers have chosen to 'Register' themselves which are shown in the list.
The same is true of other states/ UTs . These are ''Official'' figures and NOT actual figures. The Actual figures are many times more.
With Warm Regards,
Yours' Sincerely,
Brig Harwant Singh (Retd)

NB– Partly the ESM are to be blamed for the error in figures because they do not register with the Sainik Boards. There may be many ESM in Chandigarh receiving this email who have not registered themselves with Sainik Board. Partly the MoD and Service HQs are to be blamed who do not keep a record of the retired personnel and those expired. -Chander Kamboj