Mysore: 50 pc property tax relief for ex-servicemen

50 pc property tax relief for ex-servicemen
Sreekantswamy B, Mysore, DHNS:
Families of retired ex-servicemen, who have been given privileges, can now add another to the list. The State government has decided to waive 50 per cent of the property tax for their houses or land.
The Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary, published on April 28, 2012, states that according to the Karnataka Municipalities And Certain Other Law (Amendment) Act, 2011, it is said that “the municipal council may exempt 50 per cent of the property tax on any one piece of land or building belonging to an ex-serviceman or the family of a deceased ex-serviceman.” But there are clear conditions.
An ex-serviceman is defined as a person who has served in the regulary Army, Navy and Air Force of the Union, at any rank. He or she may also be a person who has served in Defence Security Corps, the General Reserve Engineering Force, the Lok Sahayak Sena and Paramilitary forces. The family of the deceased ex-serviceman can include the father, mother, a surviving spouse and dependent children. The ex-serviceman and their dependents are liable for the tax rebate only if they reside at the home being submitted for consideration. The ex-serviceman should also be a permanent resident of the State — a fact that should be verifiable by the Sainik Welfare Board.
The Governor has approved the amendment on April 26, 2012. R S Vishwanath, the deputy director of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement Board, also confirmed that he had received instructions to enforce the rule. To this effect, he said that he has written to the commissioner of Mysore City Corporation, chief executive officer of Zilla Panchayat, and local bodies of seven taluks in the district. A reply is pending.
The tax relief was first proposed in the budget and was expected to go into practice from the following year.
By taking steps to implement the rule, the State joins Maharashtra where several municipal corporations, such as Thane and Navi Mumbai, have already been providing tax relief for ex-servicemen, although with changes and with a varied percentage. Nearly 4,000 ex-servicemen and their dependents currently live in Mysore, Mandya and Chamarajanagar.
50 pc property tax relief for ex-servicemen
Comment: The property tax should be exempted for all ESM Nationwide. This should be the primary and enabling task of Secretary ESM (IAS Officer) who right now is cooling his heels in this appointment.

Vellore ESM: Dilapidated building to be rebuilt

CM’s order rebuilds ex-servicemen’s hope
By V NarayanaMurthi|ENS - VELLORE 24th August 2012 08:27 AM

NEW LEASE OF LIFE: A view of the dilapidated building of the ex-servicemen office which would be rebuilt |Express

The ex-servicemen community has thanked Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for sanctioning `2.19 crore towards rebuilding the old office premises of the Ex-servicemen Welfare, in Vellore.
K Mathivanan, president of the Katpadi Ex-sainik Seva Sangam said Vellore which housed one of the highest population of ex-servicemen and serving personnel in the country, certainly deserved a spacious and well-equipped office premises to extend better facilities and services. The gesture of the Chief Minister in this regard was timely, he added.
Vellore had housed one of the earliest ex-servicemen welfare offices in the State, the foundation for which had been laid by the then Governor of Madras, Sir Arthur Hope on March 7, 1945, on the ring road of Vellore Fort. It was named after him as ‘Hope Ex-service Centre’. The building was completed in the same year and was declared open by Sir Normal Strathie, advisor to the Governor of Madras on November 29, 1945. Khan Bhadur S Ahmed Ali was the president of the District Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen (DSSA) Board then.
As the 60-year-old building had developed cracks and posed threats to safety, the office was shifted to ‘Jawans Bhavan’ building on the officers line.
The existing dilapidated structures would be replaced with a new two-storied building with 4,844 sqft ground floor and 5,888 sqft, each of first and second floor. While the ground floor would be occupied by the ex-servicemen welfare office, the first floor would have a nationalised bank. A part of the second floor would be rented to government departments.
The premises would also have a dormitory facility and two or three rooms that can be used as guestrooms for directorate’s senior officials to stay. The office would be equipped with communication and Internet facilities. The construction, being entrusted with the PWD, is likely to begin shortly.
The ex-servicemen welfare office has been extending various services to the 50,000 plus ex-servicemen and serving personnel, somewhat similar to what the district social welfare has been offering to the general public. The office is providing welfare assistance to the tune of `15 lakh per month, in terms of pensions (for veterans and war widows) and educational scholarships. The office is also helping veterans secure employment in various sectors besides focusing on their healthcare requirements.
It is also liaisoning with government departments to establish a Kendriya Vidyalaya at Vellore shortly.
CM’s order rebuilds ex-servicemen’s hope

Does the Army Chief have power and will to redress grieviances of Veterans?

Addressing ex-servicemen's issues is top priority: Army Chief PTI | 07:07 PM,Jul 01,2012
Pathankot, Jul 1 (PTI) Listing the welfare of ex-servicemen and war widows as his top priority, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh today said the issue of one-rank-one-pension is being looked at the ministerial level and the Army is geared up for speedy redressal of their grievances. "The government and the Army are sensitive to their needs and would take every step to ensure that ex-servicemen and their families are looked after well, the Army Chief said here, addressing an ex-servicemen's rally organised here on the occasion of celebrations of Golden Jubilee of 21 Sub Area. He assured the ex-servicemen that all their complaints routed to district Sainik Welfare Boards and area commanders will be attended. Meanwhile, a wife of a mentally-challenged ex-servicemen shouted during the function complaining that she had not been given regular job despite her repeated plea to the authorities. "My husband, an ex-serviceman is mentally challenged. I had been applying for regular job for the last 8 years, but every time I submitted my file, it was thrown in dustbin by authorities concerned at 21 sub Area," shouted Sharda Pathania while Gen Singh was taking round to hear the complainants. Earlier, Gen Singh accompanied by his wife visited Rising Star Corps at Yol near Dharamsala to review the operational preparedness of the Corps.
ex-servicemen's issues is top priority: Army Chief
Comment: Complaints routed through the Sainik Welfare Boards get dumped, as the civilan personnel manning these basic state run clerical units are clueless as to how the grieviances are to be tackled and resolved. There is total dearth of knowledge or information on the current welfare measures. The civilains are employed for their own career prospects and not knowing what their job content is. It is really a sad state of affairs. No Chief can ever resolve this monsterous organistion which exists in shoddy offices tailor made to churn out more paper work and heap of files rather than addressing the issue for which they are employed. These organisations need to be disbanded totally and save the tax payers money.

Declining standards of medical treatment for Veterans

Ex-servicemen’s families in Ahmedabad share their problems
Published: Monday, Apr 2, 2012, 15:50 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Ahmedabad | Agency: DNA
A seminar was held at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel memorial, Shahibaug, in the city on Sunday to address the issues of ex-army officials and their families. The seminar, titled 'Ex-servicemen welfare seminar' discussed issues and problems faced by families of defence personnel. National convenor of Defence cell, General NS Malik who was the chief guest at the seminar, heard and addressed the issues of several army families present at the event.
Speaking to DNA, General Malik said that protection of the nation is a burning issue presently, which needs to be handled at the earliest. "For this, every citizen is equally responsible and needs to be informed about country's defense." He further said that awareness programmes have been planned for the country's youth as part of which activities like talks, lectures will be held.
Various issues and problems of defence personnel were discussed at length during the session. Stating their problems, Mann Singh Tomar, a resident of the city, said, "My father was in army. After his death, my mother and I had to struggle a lot to receive the pension." He further complained to Malik that to start receiving pension one has to submit documents at the regiment office to which the deceased belongs. "In our case, my father belonged to Kumaon regiment and we had to go to Uttarakhand thrice for pension," added Tomar.
Tomar suggested that every state should have an office of the regiments, so that army families after transfer in different states do not have to face much problem for pensions. Malik replied that such an office is being planned in every state.
Others complained about issues of land allotment by the government and irregular medical treatment.
Ex-servicemen’s families in Ahmedabad share their problems

Welfare of the ex-Servicemen: Survey and Statistics of Special Skills Vital

Governor, CM for conducting census of ex-Servicemen to enlarge their welfare
Saturday, 03 03 2012 10:08
J&K Rajya Sainik Board meets
JAMMU, MARCH 2 - N. N. Vohra, Governor, and Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, today called for conducting a district wise survey of ex-Servicemen to assess their number and the area-specific requirements for enlarging their rehabilitation and welfare.
The Governor and the Chief Minister were addressing the 74th meeting of the J&K Rajya Sainik Board, at Raj Bhavan, here today.
The Governor, chairing the meeting, observed that such a survey would facilitate a meaningful review and prioritization of the ongoing schemes and re-orienting them, as required, for enhancing the welfare of the ex-Servicemen and their families.
Emphasizing the need for taking all required measures for re-orienting and upgrading the skills and capacities of ex-Servicemen, the Governor observed that this would enhance their employability and placements in the job market. He observed that the State has a significant population of ex-Servicemen who possess valuable experience, skills and technical expertise in different fields, adding that this potential needs to be gainfully exploited for the overall benefit of the society at large. He noted that, to secure this objective, an appropriate mechanism could be put in place for providing counseling to the ex-Servicemen.
Referring to the vast growth potential in the various sectors of the State’s economy for generating wealth and employment avenues, the Governor said that the ex-Servicemen, like other unemployed persons, could go in for setting up units in poultry, dairy and fish farming, sheep and goat rearing, mushroom cultivation and floriculture. He said that all these sectors have a ready market and the ex-Servicemen should be encouraged to form cooperative units for securing assured economic returns.
While taking stock of the pace of progress on the construction of Sainik Bhawans at various places in the State, the Governor stressed their time bound completion to avoid time and cost over-runs and for early providing this facility to the ex-Servicemen. Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, said that he had ordered the creation of a Special Cell in the State Home Department to coordinate further action on all issues relating to ex-Servicemen, for securing their improved welfare.
The Rajya Sainik Board reviewed in detail the progress made in regard to the construction of Sainik Bhawans at Srinagar, Jammu, Rajouri, Kargil and Kupwara. The acquisition of land for Sainik Welfare Housing Colonies also came under review at the meeting. The Governor thanked the Chief Minister for enabling timely decisions in regard to various pending issues and for setting up a Special Cell in the State Home Department to look after the welfare of the ex-Servicemen and observed that this should be recorded in the proceedings of the Board’s meeting.
Later, the Governor chaired the meeting of the State Managing Committee for Funds, and focused on the budgetary support being provided by the State Government to the Department of Sainik Welfare, as also the contribution of the Kendriya Sainik Board to the J&K Rajya Sainik Board. He emphasized the need for evolving appropriate strategies for enhancing the mobilization and collection of funds at all levels, for maximizing the welfare of ex-Servicemen and their families.
The meeting among others was attended by R. S. Chib, Minister for Youth Services and Sports; Raman Bhalla, Minister for Revenue; Iqbal Khandey, Principal Secretary, Finance; Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Lt. Gen. B. S. Pama, Chief of Staff, Northern Command; Maj. Gen. Pramod Behl, Director General Resettlement, New Delhi; Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad, Secretary, General Administration; Comdr H. C. Sharma, Joint Director, Kendriya Sainik Board, New Delhi; Brig. Biswajeet Mukherjee from 15 Corps; Brig. Pankaj Saxena, 26 Div; Brig. Suresh Menon, 16 Corps; Col. J. S. Chauhan, Director, Resettlement, Zone North; A. A. Khan, Additional Secretary, Home; Maj. Gen. (Retd) G. S. Jamwal, President, J&K Ex-Services League; and non-official members, Lt Cdr (Retd) J. P. Kotwal; Hony Capt Bana Singh; Hony Capt Sohan Singh and B. S. Slathia, Advocate, President Bar Association, Jammu besides other official and non-official members.
A detailed power point presentation was made by Brig. (Retd) R. S. Langeh, Secretary, Rajya Sainik Board, on the occasion, detailing the measures taken for the welfare of the Ex-Servicemen, financial status of the Board, construction of Sainik Bhawans and the implementation of the various decisions taken in the last meeting of the Board.
Click here for the original post

Bhopal: Welfare of Ex Servicemen

Honour to ex-servicemen in society to inspire youths
February 7, 2012 | Gupta chairs 17th meeting of Rajya Sainik board

Bhopal, February 7, 2012 (Ataullah Faizan): Home Minister Mr Umashankar Gupta chaired the 17th meeting of Rajya Sainik Board here today. The meeting discussed provision of 10 percent and 20 percent reservation to ex-servicemen in class-III and class-IV posts respectively and applying carry-forward system in it, extension of reservation benefit to ex-servicemen vis-à-vis reserved post in police recruitment and making available vehicles on hire for Beti Bachao Abhiyan and officers of District Ex-Servicemen Welfare Board. Mr Umashankar Gupta said that implementation of provisions for reservation to ex-servicemen in general and police recruitments will be ensured. He said that a meeting of the senior officers of General Administration and Police Departments will be convened in connection with rules.

Home Minister Mr Chouhan said that people join defence service for the security of countrymen under a missionary zeal. The entire country holds them in esteem. He said that an honourable place to ex-servicemen and their families will go a long way in inspiring youths to join these services.

The meeting also discussed making available on hire to 21 District Ex-servicemen Welfare Offices. The Gupta said than every possible assistance will be made available at the administrative level for running welfare programmes of ex-servicemen.

The meeting also discussed the phenomenon of less average of youths joining the army from Madhya Pradesh that other states. It also discussed a proposal to urge army, military and other educational institutions in the state to encourage students to join defence forces and imparting training to them accordingly.

Mr Gupta instructed that the initiative of such training of youth should be taken by Ex-servicemen Welfare Department in coordination and consultation with the Education Department.

Those who attended the meeting included Commander Bhopal Sub-Area Suresh Gupta, Secretary Home Mrs Seema Sharma, Director Ex-servicemen Welfare Brigadier George Mathai, Joint Director Ex-Servicemen Welfare Col. V.K. Chaubey and officers of General Administration, Police, Home departments etc.
Honour to ex-servicemen in society to inspire youths

What is the status of Serious Fraud Probe into ESM job scam?

Serious fraud probe' into ex-servicemen job scam
New Delhi (IANS): The Defence Ministry handed over the probe into a job racket for ex-servicemen to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) in the Corporate Affairs Ministry. Several senior officers of the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) have been found guilty in an internal inquiry.
Serious fraud probe' into ex-servicemen job scam

The information given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Harishchandra Chavan in Lok Sabha in 2010: Click here for ESM status and Statistics

Comment: Most of the ESM schemes are mired in corruption and scams. One example is Tamilnadu Ex Servicemen Corporation which continues to employ civilian fakes as Ex Servicemen for manning parking lots.

Sainik Centre shot in the arm for ex-servicemen

Shalet Jimmy Express News: 03 Feb 2012 08:34:38 AM IST
KOCHI: Ernakulam is all set to get its first ‘Sainik Centre’ for the ex-servicemen. Sprawled over an area of around 2,000 sq ft, the new centre is located at Kizhakkambalam, Kakkanad. The centre is equipped with a conference hall which will be used for organising various training programmes for the retired army personnel. This is the fifth centre in the state, the others being in Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Thrissur and Alappuzha.

The project worth Rs 95 lakh will be inaugurated in March, said K K Govindan Nair, Director, Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Vikas Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram. He said that the conference hall would be opened to the public.

Sainik centres are constructed to give accommodation facilities to ex- servicemen who go to different parts of the state for various purposes. “Such centres will be of great relief to ex-servicemen, and the accommodation provided here will be at a subsidised rate,” District Sainik Welfare officer P J Jacob said.

He said that the meagre pension of the ex-servicemen did not help them find appropriate lodging. “As the pension they get is not attractive, it would always cost the ex-servicemen dear, when it comes to their stay at a hotel or a lodge when they go to other districts. Hence this is an attempt by the government to mitigate the trouble of ex-servicemen,” he said. The conference hall which will be built at the centre is aimed at providing various training and other awareness programmes. “The conference hall is mainly intended for training programmes. The department offers various guidance programmes for them to make them think about a second career,” Jacob said. The move to launch the project soon came as a relief to the officials of the Ernakulam District Zilla Sainik Welfare Centre, Kakkanad, as the project has been moving at a snail’s pace for the past three years. The work was entrusted with the Public Works Department and the project was financed both by the Central and the State Governments, he said.
Sainik Centre shot in the arm for ex-servicemen

Quotas for ex-servicemen in jobs will be ensured

Quotas for ex-servicemen in jobs will be ensured, Gupta tells Sainik body
Tuesday, 07 February 2012 00:12 Staff Reporter | Bhopal
State Home Minister Uma Shankar Gupta chaired the 17th meeting of Rajya Sainik Board here on Monday.

The meeting discussed provision of 10 per cent and 20 per cent reservation to ex-servicemen in Class-III and Class-IV posts, respectively, and applying the carry-forward system in it, extension of reservation benefit to ex-servicemen vis-à-vis reserved post in police recruitment and making available vehicles on hire for the Beti Bachao Abhiyan and officers of the District Ex-Servicemen Welfare Board.

Uma Shankar Gupta said that implementation of provisions for reservation to ex-servicemen in general and police recruitments will be ensured. He said that a meeting of the senior officers of General Administration and Police Departments will be convened in connection with rules.

The Home Minister said that people join defence service for the security of countrymen under a missionary zeal. The entire country holds them in esteem. He said that an honourable place to ex-servicemen and their families will go a long way in inspiring youths to join these services.

The meeting also discussed making available on hire to 21 District Ex-servicemen Welfare Offices. Gupta said all possible assistance will be made available at the administrative level for running welfare programmes of ex-servicemen.

The meeting also discussed the phenomenon of less average of youths joining the army from Madhya Pradesh that other States. It also discussed a proposal to urge army, military and other educational institutions in the State to encourage students to join defence forces and imparting training to them accordingly.

Gupta instructed that the initiative of such training of youth should be taken by Ex-servicemen Welfare Department in coordination and consultation with the Education Department.

Those who attended the meeting included Commander Bhopal Sub-Area Suresh Gupta, Secretary Home Seema Sharma, Director Ex-servicemen Welfare Brigadier George Mathai, Joint Director Ex-Servicemen Welfare Col VK Chaubey and officers of General Administration, Police, Home departments etc.
click here: Quotas for ex-servicemen in jobs will be ensured
ESM Welfare

ESM Welfare news

Assistance given to ex-servicemen and widows of World War II
Aakar Sukumar exhibition held
Bhopal:Friday, December 9, 2011: Updated 16:36IST
At the monthly Sainik Sammelan here, the District Ex-Servicemen's Welfare Office provided economic assistance worth Rs. 48 thousand to 24 ex-servicemen and widows of World War II. Cheques worth Rs. 2 thousand each were given away to ex-servicemen and widows of World War II by Joint Director Ex-Servicemen's Welfare Colonel V.K. Chaube (retired) and District Ex-Servicemen's Welfare Officer Colonel D.C. Goyal (retired).
The convention was informed that a recruitment rally of Air Force is going to be held on December 12, 2011 at district headquarters Kawardha in Chhattisgarh.
Aakar Sukumar Exhibition held
An exhibition of ceremic sculputres entitled 'Aakar Sukumar' is organised every year by Smt. Nirmala Devi, mother of Shaheed Captain Devashish Sharma in his memory at the convention venue on the premises of Sainik Vishram Grih, Banganga Bhopal. The exhibition organised today by her was inspected by ex-servicemen, war widows and their relatives. The income generated from the sale of these artifacts is donated by Smt. Sharma to Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. R.S. Parashar/Sunita Dube
Assistance for WWII Veterans

November 27, 2011 14:36 IST | Updated: November 27, 2011 14:36 IST KRISHNAGIRI, November 27, 2011
Eye camp for ex-servicemen Staff Reporter
Over three hundred ex-servicemen and their family members participated in the free eye camp held in Krishnagiri on Sunday.
The camp was jointly organised by the District Ex-servicemen Welfare Board and the Dr. Agarwal Eye Hospital at the Office of the District Ex-servicemen Welfare Board at Old Bengaluru Road in Krishnagiri town near the five road junction.
The ex-servicemen and their family members were screened for cataract, growing of flesh in the eye and other eye related ailments. A team of Ophthalmologists headed by Mr. Sathish from Dr. Agarwal Eye Hospital, Krishnagiri screened the ex-servicemen and their family members.
Major (Retired) M. Muthuram, Assistant Director, District Ex-servicemen Welfare Board inaugurated the eye-camp.
Free eye camp
Comment: Why Free Eye Camp when we have ECHS- ESM reduced to beggars

Jammu, December 10 (Scoop News) – Zila Sainik Welfare Officer, Rajouri, Maj. R.S. Thakur (Retd) alongwith staff under the aegis of Brig. R.S. Langeh, AVSM Director RSB organized various ex-servicemen rallies in far-flung areas of district Rajouri. Simultaneously the rallies were conducted a on 10 November at Nowshera, 15 November at Sunderbani, 17 November at Kalakote and on 23 November, 2011 at Budhal to educate and motivate ex-servicemen and their wards to complete their documents for availing the benefits of various schemes launched by state and centre government and to made the payments to beneficiaries.
The central government has laid down the policy for grant of school going children (max two) out of Raksha Mantris Discretion Fund (RMDF). All ex-servicemen, widows are advised to complete the documents to avail the facility of this scheme. Financial assistance towards education (Rs. 1000 per month for boys and girls) till standard XII for two children only will be granted.
Army Group Insurance Directorate, New Delhi has advised all the retired ex-servicemen who have retired on or after 1st April, 2003 with pension to refund the contribution Medical Benefits Scheme specific date has not been specified but deposit as early as possible.
ESM Jammu Rally

MoD calls in white collar sleuths in veterans’ jobs fraud
In a first, the Ministry of Defense has called in the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to investigate a case of a conspiracy to improperly procure contracts from the office of the Directorate General of Resettlement.
The ministry describes the Directorate General Resettlement as an Attached office of Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, which is responsible for training and rehabilitation of retiring defense personnel and Ex-servicemen through various self-employment schemes, which also include contracts to security Agencies run by veterans for security services to government-owned companies.
Assistance given to ex-servicemen and widows of World War II

Financial aid to non-pensioner ex-servicemen and widows

TODAY - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011
Financial aid to non-pensioner ex-servicemen/widows
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 02 2011: The Office of the Rajya Sainik Board, Lamphelpat, Government of Manipur has announced that the following Financial Assistance for the Ex-Servicemen and widows of the state are available.
Penury Grant (above 65 years Non-pensioner upto Hav rank) @ Rs 1000/- pm for life time, Education Grant @ Rs 1000/- per month, Officer Cadet Grant @ Rs 1000/- per month, Disabled Children Grant @ Rs 1000/- per month, House Repair Grant @ Rs 20,000/-, Marriage Grant @ Rs 16000/-, Funeral Grant @ Rs 5000/-, Medical Grant @ Rs 30000/-, Orphan Grant @ Rs 1000/- per month, Vocational Training Grant for Widows @ Rs 20000/-, and for serious diseases like Cancer, Open Heart Surgery etc @ 75% to 90% for Officer Ranks and Below Officer Rank @ Rs 75,000/- per financial year, according to a press release of PRO (Defence) Further details can be obtained from the office of Rajya Sainik Board, Lamphel, Imphal between 1100 hrs to 1300 hrs during office hours.
Financial aid to non-pensioner ex-servicemen/widows

Tainted Brigadier Appointed Director of Sainik Welfare

Plum post for "tainted" Brig: Shady past- Indicated by court of Inquiry, he is set to join as sainik welfare director

Army serves 'severe displeasure' to brigadier
Press Trust Of India
New Delhi, October 29, 2010
click here to read the article

Reservation for Ex-Servicemen

Reservation of Government Posts for Ex-Servicemen- September 6, 2011
There is no provision for earmarking of posts exclusively for ex- servicemen therefore the data on the actual number of reserved posts and unfilled vacancies earmarked for the Ex-servicemen are not maintained. However, percentagewise reservations ranging from 10 to 24.5% of the total available vacancies in Group C & D posts in Government jobs and Public Sector Undertakings have been provided for the willing and eligible Ex- servicemen.

It is the responsibility of concerned organization to fill the vacant posts. However the government endeavours to explore every possible avenue for increasing employment opportunities for the Ex-servicemen through various initiatives including trainings and awareness programmes. Moreover, the State Governments have also been advised to fill up the vacancies reserved for Ex-servicemen expeditiously. Since the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare has no mandate to monitor the job reservations for Ex-servicemen, the matter has been taken up with Cabinet Secretariat in consultation with Department of Personnel & Training to empower Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare to monitor the same through appropriate changes in relevant rules.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju in a written reply to Shri Ananth Kumar and Shri Devji M. Patel in Lok Sabha today. pib
Reservation for Ex-Servicemen

Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare: Who is Who
1. Smt. Neelam Nath Secretary 23792914, 23792913 5-A, South Block, New Delhi
2. Shri Shekhar Agarwal Special Secretary 23011775/23017875(Fax) 109-A South Block, New Delhi
3. Shri Sanjeeva Kumar Joint Secretary (ESW) 23011804/23015933(Fax) 99-A, South Block, New Delhi
4. Shri D. K. Tyagi Director(Pension) 23015609(Fax) 213, A Wing, Sena Bhawan, New Delhi
5. Maj Gen PRAMOD BEHL Director General, Resettlement 26192351/26192350(Fax) West Block-IV, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-66
6. Brig Sudhir Uppal, VSM Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board 26192361 26192362(Fax) West Block-IV, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-66
7. Maj Gen A Srivastava MD (ECHS) 25684846 Army Headquarters, AG's Branch Maudelines, Delhi Cantonement
Department of Ex Servicemen
Comment: The Statistical Office of ESW needs to be wound up. Their contribution to Welfare has been zilch till date. The savings incurred can be utilised elsewhere.

Government committed to welfare of armed forces: Antony

Sunday, August 14, 2011 10:33:08 AM by IANS
New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) Defence Minister A.K. Antony Sunday said the government was committed to the welfare of the armed forces and had taken steps to improve the quality of their rations, clothing and equipment.

Extending his heartiest greetings and best wishes to members of the Indian armed forces - uniformed and civilian - on the eve of the country’s 65th Independence day, the defence minister in a statement said: “On this occasion, I pay my tributes to all the martyrs who gave the supreme sacrifice for the nation.”

Antony said he has visited the frontiers in the northeast, Jammu and Kashmir, and seen the preparation in the desert and other areas.

“On these visits, I have come to know about the challenges that troops have to face. Keeping such challenges in mind, the government has taken several steps to improve the facilities. An improvement in the quantity and the quality of rations, clothing and equipment has been brought about,” he said.

“The government is committed to the all-round welfare of our jawans (troops) and will continue to provide them the best facilities and living conditions, especially for those living in inhospitable and difficult conditions,” said Antony.

“We have taken several steps for the welfare of our ex-servicemen. 199 new polyclinics and 15 new regional health centres have been started to provide better health care facilities to ex-servicemen. Besides, a pilot online automation scheme has been started to address pension related problems.”

Speaking on ex-servicemen, Antony said he had asked states to provide more employment opportunities to ex-servicemen at all levels.

The defence minister expressed confidence that the armed forces would “leave nothing to chance in defending our land, air and sea borders. Your vigil on the borders and commitment to the nation will enhance the prestige of the Forces and do the nation proud”.
Government committed to welfare of armed forces: Antony

Veteran Welfare- Are we being cheated and then dishonoured?

Supreme Court Recalls ITS Directions to MoD in Pushpavanti Case
The Supreme Court has recalled its order given on 15 November last year in which it had directed MoD to set up a Commission to look into the grievances of serving and former soldiers of the Armed Forces. In the same order, the Apex Court had made a mention of Smt Pushpa Vanti’s case, a widow whose husband was an Army Major. The petitioner Smt Pushpa Vanti had claimed that she was getting only a meager amount of Rs.80/- per month as pension since the death of her husband in 1967 and her pension had not been revised since then. In the said order, the Supreme Court also alluded to the discontent among the serving and former members Armed Forces and their widows and family member regarding their service condition i.e. Pay Scales, anomalies regarding pension, inadequate pension etc. and directed the Central Government to set up a Commission called Armed Forces Grievances Redressal Commission to look into the grievances of serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their dependents.

Subsequently, the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare of MoD verified the facts regarding actual pension drawn by Smt Pushpa Vanti and also considered the implications of setting up of such a Commission given the fact that an elaborate mechanism for welfare and resettlement of Ex-servicemen and their dependent already exists under the aegis of Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare.

On verification of facts it was found that Smt Pushpa Vanti is actually drawing a family pension of Rs.16360 and not Rs.80/- as incorrectly represented before the Apex Court. The factual position was brought before the Supreme Court on 05 July 2011 by the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare through the Solicitor General of India who also submitted before the Supreme Court that for looking after the welfare and resettlement of Ex-servicemen a comprehensive mechanism is already in place.

Following this, the Supreme Court recalled its order given on 15 November 2010. SK/ (Release ID :73300)
Supreme Court Recalls ITS Directions to MoD in Pushpavanti Case
The truth is bitter to swallow
Armed Forces Tribunal Orders are mostly defied; click here
Grievances of veterans have been ignored for years even when the Supreme Court has issued favourable judgments- click here

Veteran Woes
Things have come to a dangerous pass.
Appalling already was the scheme of events in our nation, with veterans and the government in a logjam and protests related to pensionary anomalies reaching the streets.
As most of us know, the Supreme Court had recently recalled its orders related to the constitution of the Armed Forces Grievances Redressal Commission. What follows is this official press release by the Ministry of Defence almost celebrating the recalling of the orders, commemorating the victory of the Ministry of Defence over veterans and stating that the poor widow in the case had ‘incorrectly represented’ facts before the Court, while actually there was no such observation of ‘incorrect representation’ by the Hon’ble Apex Court itself in its orders.
Does an official press release such as this behove a government agency? Is the recalling of a judicial order official-news material, if that be so, then all departments should regularly issue press releases every single day on the hundreds of cases decided daily involving them, this way or that way.
While on the surface, this press release may seem to be innocuous, but lying beneath is a thought process that is thoroughly and distastefully disgusting – the thought process that defence veterans are adversaries of the MoD. It is an MoD Vs Veterans state of mind. Otherwise, why would there be a celebratory official PIB press release on the recalling of an order that was so dear to the hearts of the defence community ? Can this be expected in any developed democracy ? Can we imagine the Department of Defence of the US or the Ministry of Defence of the UK issuing a press release celebrating the recalling of a Court order favouring veterans?
Click here to read full article of Maj Navdeep Singh: Sad Sign of the Times!

एंटनी राज्यों को पूर्व सैनिकों के लिए अधिक रास्ते खोलने के लिए पूछता है

रक्षा जून 27 की पीआईबी मंत्रालय, 2011 17:57 IST
रक्षा मंत्री श्री ए.के. एंटनी ऊपर भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए और अधिक रास्ते खोलने के लिए बुलाया है. केन्द्रीय सैनिक बोर्ड, केंद्र सरकार और राज्यों / भूतपूर्व सैनिक (ESW) कल्याण, आज यहां केन्द्र शासित प्रदेशों के शीर्ष निकाय की 29 वीं बैठक की अध्यक्षता करते हुए श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि राष्ट्र को अनुशासित कार्यबल असर के इस विशाल जलाशय बर्बादी बर्दाश्त नहीं कर सकता ट्रेडों की एक विस्तृत श्रृंखला में कौशल.

"कुछ समय पहले मैं सभी राज्यों के मुख्यमंत्रियों को लिखा था कि भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए और अधिक रोजगार के अवसर प्रदान करते हैं. तुम तरीकों और इसका मतलब अप करने के लिए आर्थिक गतिविधि जहां भूतपूर्व सैनिकों की समृद्ध और व्यावहारिक अनुभव सबसे अच्छा उपयोग किया जा सकता से अधिक क्षेत्रों को खोलने के लिए चिंतन करना चाहिए. श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि मैं भी सभी राज्य सरकारों से आग्रह करता हूं करने के लिए सुनिश्चित करें कि पूर्व सैनिकों के लिए नौकरियों में आरक्षण का प्रावधान पूर्व सैनिकों के लिए जमीन पर मूर्त रोजगार के अवसर उपलब्ध कराने के लिए कदम उठाने. "

उनका कहना है कि लगभग 50 से साठ हज़ार रक्षा कार्मिकों या तो रिटायर हो रहे हैं या हर साल सेवा से रिहा हुए रक्षा मंत्री ने कहा कि उनमें से सबसे अधिक उत्पादक आयु वर्ग में हैं.

"वे के बारे में 300 ट्रेडों में काम के अनुभव पर हाथ के अधिकारी और एक युवा, अनुशासित कार्यबल है कि समाज और राष्ट्र के लिए काफी लाभ हो सकता है. श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि हम wokforce के इस तरह के एक जवान और बेहद प्रशिक्षित जलाशय बेकार खर्च नहीं उठा सकते. "

रक्षा मंत्री भी लंबे समय के लिए केन्द्र और राज्य सरकारों में खाली पड़े भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए निर्धारित नौकरियों पर चिंता व्यक्त की.

"मैं केन्द्रीय सरकार के अंतर्गत सभी मंत्रालयों और विभागों समझाना अपना सर्वश्रेष्ठ करने के लिए सभी मौजूदा भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए निर्धारित की रिक्तियों को भरने के लिए कामना करता हूं. श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि देर से मुझे मिल जाए, भरने रिक्तियों की बजाय, बल्कि वे दूर ले जा रहे एक याचिका या अन्य पर रिक्तियां (पूर्व सैनिक). " "यह प्रोत्साहित नहीं किया जाना चाहिए," उन्होंने tersely टिप्पणी की.

सार्वजनिक और निजी करने के लिए भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए अधिकतम अवसर उपलब्ध कराने के क्षेत्र पर आह्वान करते हुए रक्षा मंत्री ने कहा कि पुनः रोजगार के लाभों को सबसे कम रैंक के लिए नहीं percolating थे.

'कॉर्पोरेट और औद्योगिक क्षेत्र रोजगार भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए कई प्रदान की गई है. हालांकि, जबकि इन reemployed कर्मियों के अधिकांश अधिकारी स्तर से कर रहे हैं, यह हमारी नोटिस में आया है कि वहाँ PBORs (अधिकारी रैंक से नीचे के कार्मिक) के लिए पर्याप्त काम नहीं कर रहे हैं. श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि मुझे यकीन है कि कॉर्पोरेट और निजी क्षेत्र के नेताओं को अपनी ऊर्जा को इस पहलू पर भी समर्पित करेंगे रहा हूँ ".

रक्षा मंत्री ने घोषणा की कि केन्द्र सरकार राज्य और जिला सैनिक बोर्डों के कामकाज के लिए अपने योगदान के अपने हिस्से बढ़ा दिया है.

"... मैं दृढ़ता मुख्यमंत्रियों से अपील अप करने के लिए राज्य सैनिक बोर्ड और जिला सैनिक बोर्डों में रिक्त पदों को भरने के द्वारा अपने पूर्ण सहयोग का विस्तार. अपनी ही ओर से केन्द्रीय सरकार के कार्यालय और राज्य और जिला सैनिक बोर्डों पर खर्च वेतन के लिए अपने योगदान इजाफा किया है. श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि 50:50 के मौजूदा अनुपात से 75:25 दूसरे राज्यों के मामलों में और राज्यों में 60:40 की विशेष श्रेणी के मामले में वृद्धि परिचालन जल्द ही किया जाएगा ".

दोहराते हैं कि सरकार ने देश भर में एक और 199 पालीक्लिनिक की स्थापना और भी भूतपूर्व सैनिक अंशदायी स्वास्थ्य (ईसीएचएस) योजना, के रूप में केन्द्रीय मंत्रिमंडल द्वारा अनुमोदित के दूसरे चरण के तहत नेपाल में प्रतिबद्ध है, श्री एंटनी राज्यों से आह्वान किया कि प्रदान जल्द से जल्द इस प्रयोजन के लिए भूमि.

"मनी समस्या नहीं है, भूमि अधिग्रहण और निर्माण की प्रक्रिया के लिए किया जाना चाहिए. श्री एंटनी ने कहा कि मुझे कोई संदेह नहीं है कि राज्य सरकारें सभी बाधाओं को दूर करने और इन पालीक्लिनिक बहुत जल्द से जल्द कार्यात्मक बनाने में सभी आवश्यक सहायता प्रदान करेगा है. "

सभा को संबोधित करते हुए रक्षा मंत्री श्री एम एम पल्लम राजू राज्यमंत्री ने घोषणा की कि पूर्व सैनिकों के लिए एक शिकायत आईटी समर्थित निवारण तंत्र स्थापित किया जा रहा करने की प्रक्रिया है कि उनकी समस्याओं को हल करने के प्रयासों का अधिकार जिला स्तर तक करना होगा में है .

पंजाब के राज्यपाल श्री शिवराज पाटिल, हरियाणा श्री भूपेन्द्र हुड्डा और दिल्ली, श्रीमती के मुख्यमंत्री के मुख्यमंत्री. शीला दीक्षित, वायुसेनाध्यक्ष एयर चीफ मार्शल पीवी नाइक और सेना प्रमुख जनरल वीके सिंह के मुख्यमंत्री के कई मंत्रियों और वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों के अलावा मुख्यमंत्री, विचार विमर्श में भाग लिया.
पीके / / एचएच एनएन (रिलीज आईडी: 72886)
एंटनी राज्यों को पूर्व सैनिकों के लिए अधिक रास्ते खोलने के लिए पूछता है

Antony Asks States to open up more Avenues for Ex-Servicemen

PIB Ministry of Defence 27 June, 2011 17:57 IST
Presiding over the 29th Meeting of the Kendriya Sainik Board, the apex body of the Central Government and States/UTs for Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW), here today, Shri Antony said the nation cannot afford to waste this vast reservoir of disciplined workforce bearing skills in a wide range of trades.

“Sometime back I had written to Chief Ministers of all states to provide more avenues of employment for Ex-Servicemen. You must devise ways and means to open up more fields of economic activity where the rich and practical experience of Ex-Servicemen can best be utilized. I also urge all the State Governments to take steps to ensure that the provision for reservation in jobs for Ex-Servicemen provide tangible employment opportunities on the ground for Ex-Servicemen,” Shri Antony said.

Pointing out that about 50 to 60 thousand defence personnel either retire or are released from service every year, the Defence Minister said that most of them are in the productive age group.

“They possess hands-on work experience in about 300 trades and are a young, disciplined workforce that can be of immense benefit for the society and the nation. We cannot afford to waste such a young and vastly trained reservoir of wokforce,” Shri Antony said.

The Defence Minister also expressed concern on jobs earmarked for Ex-Servicemen lying vacant for long in the central and state governments.

“I wish to exhort all the Ministries and Departments under the Central Government to do their best to fill all the existing vacancies earmarked for Ex-Servicemen. Of late I find, instead of filling vacancies, they are rather taking away the (Ex-Servicemen) vacancies on one plea or the other,” Shri Antony said. “This must not be encouraged,” he remarked tersely.

Calling upon the public and private sector to provide maximum opportunities to the Ex-Servicemen, the Defence Minister observed that the benefits of reemployment were not percolating to the lowest ranks.

“The corporate and industrial sector has provided employment to several Ex-Servicemen. However, while most of these reemployed personnel are from the Officer level, it has come to our notice that there are not enough jobs for PBORs (Personnel Below Officer Rank). I am sure that the corporate and the private sector leaders will devote their energies to this aspect too,” Shri Antony said.

The Defence Minister announced that the Central Government has hiked its share of contribution to the functioning of Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards.

“…I strongly appeal to the Chief Ministers to extend their full cooperation by filling up vacant posts in Rajya Sainik Boards and Zila Sainik Boards. On its own part, Central Government has enhanced its contribution for office expenditure and salaries at Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards. The enhancement from the existing ratio of 50:50 to 75:25 in case of special category of states and 60:40 in cases of other states will be operational soon,” Shri Antony said.

Reiterating that the Government is committed to setting up another 199 polyclinics across the country and also in Nepal under the second phase of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), as approved by the Union Cabinet, Shri Antony called upon the states to provide the land for purpose at the earliest.

“Money is not the problem; process of land acquisition and construction needs to be done. I have no doubt that the State Governments will provide all the necessary assistance in removing all obstacles and making these polyclinics functional at the very earliest,” Shri Antony said.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju announced that an IT-enabled Grievance Redressal Mechanism for the Ex-Servicemen is in the process of being set up that would make efforts to resolve their problems right up to the district level.

The Governor of Punjab, Shri Shivraj Patil, Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Bhupinder Hooda and Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Shiela Dikshit, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal PV Naik and Chief of Army Staff General VK Singh, besides several state ministers and top officials took part in the deliberations. PK/HH/NN (Release ID :72886)
Antony Asks States to open up more Avenues for Ex-Servicemen

Collector distributes farm inputs to Retired Defence personnel

Collector distributes farm inputs
The Hindu VELLORE, June 14, 2011
Welfare assistance worth Rs.3,27,750 distributed at public grievances day meet

S. Nagarajan, Vellore Collector, distributing a power sprayer to a farmer at the Collectorate in Vellore on Monday.— Photo: D.Gopalakrishnan
Distribution of agricultural inputs worth Rs.30,000 to 16 farmers and sports incentives worth Rs.69,500 to 13 best sportspersons in schools and colleges were among the welfare aids worth Rs.3,27,750 distributed by S. Nagarajan, Collector of Vellore to 45 beneficiaries at the weekly public grievances day meeting at the Collectorate here on Monday.

Quality agricultural inputs including power sprayers, certified seeds and bio-fertilizers are being distributed to farmers in all the 20 blocks in Vellore district at a subsidised cost from May 30 to June 15 to enable them to take up cultivation during the current kharif season. Agricultural extension staff members are visiting one village in each of the 20 blocks in the district every day, and distributing inputs directly to the farmers. The Agriculture Department aims to cover 300 villages during the kharif campaign lasting 15 days. At the public grievances redressal day meeting held on Monday, the Collector distributed agricultural inputs on behalf of the Agriculture Department to farmers in Vellore, Kaniyambadi, Katpadi, Anaicut and Sholinghur blocks.

On behalf of the Sports Development Authority of India, the Collector distributed cheques of Rs.5000 each to 10 school students and Rs.6500 each to three college students. Other aids distributed by the Collector include marriage assistance of Rs.8000 each to three persons on behalf of the Department of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare, cheques for Rs.1.35 lakh by way of marriage assistance to six inter-caste couple, sewing machines worth Rs.3000 each to two persons and Rs.50,000 by way of accident relief to one person on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare, and wheel-chairs worth Rs.3250 each to three persons and a tricycle worth Rs.3500 to one person on behalf of the Department of Differently-Abled.

The Collector received 723 petitions from the public on the occasion. The petitions were forwarded to the departments concerned. After proper scrutiny, aids would be given to the eligible petitioners.

Ettiyappan, Special Deputy Collector (Social Security Scheme), Santha, District Supply Officer, Gomathi, District Social Welfare Officer, K. Madhimaran, District Sports Officer, Manivannan, Assistant Director of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare and K. Thamizhchelvan, Joint Director of Agriculture-in-charge, participated.
Collector distributes farm inputs

Relief given to Ex Servicemen and War Widows

The Hindu Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 01, 2011 Staff Reporter

Rs. 34,250 disbursed as relief during grievance day meeting

Forty one petitions reviewed by Collector

30 petitions came in requesting change of name

Small relief: Collector V. Arun Roy (second left) distributing welfare assistance during the grievance day meeting for ex-servicemen at the Collectorate on Tuesday. C. Prakasam, District Revenue Officer (left), and M. Muthuram, Assistant Director, Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Krishnagiri (right), are also seen.

KRISHNAGIRI: District Collector V. Arun Roy disbursed a sum of Rs. 34,250 as assistance to ex-servicemen and war widows at a grievances day meeting held here on Tuesday.

Presiding over the meeting, Mr. Roy reviewed 41 petitions received prior to the meeting from ex-servicemen, war widows and others in the presence of district officials.

He also received 30 petitions requesting change of name in documents such as patta, pathway to the lands, allotment of house sites, pre-employment training for aspiring candidates joining in security forces, etc.

Mr. Roy gave directions to the officials concerned to take quick action on the petitions as per the rules and regulations of the government.

Aid break-up
Nine persons were given Rs. 3,000 each for cremation relief, two persons were given Rs. 3,500 as monthly dole, and four people were given Rs. 3750 as military incentive subsidy by the district administration. As many as fifteen persons got the benefit from the district administration.

C. Prakasam, District Revenue Officer, M. Muthuram, assistant director of District Ex-servicemen Welfare Board, and Ms. Anitha, Deputy Collector (training), were among those who participated in the meeting.
Assistance given to 15 ex-servicemen, war widows

Sainik Welfare- Is there a time frame for automation?

Sainik Welfare- e-Governance initiatives Thursday, 16 September 2010 12:17
The Department interacts with the 14 district offices (Zila Sainik Welfare Offices) and the Directorate office concentrating on Pension emoluments, Banking transactions, World war veteran's pension scheme, application processing for widows grievances, awards, service details of ex-service men & Service persons, flag distribution processing in connection with Armed forces Flag day etc.

Activities ahead
In line with the directions from the Secretary- Kendriya Sainik Board, Department of Sainik Welfare, GOI, all the States should be equipped with Internet facilities for easier and faster communications amongst the Rajya Sainik Board and the Zila sainik boards. The department have to equip its office and 14 Zila Sainik Boards with internet facilities and subsequently with main server to revitalize the Sainik Board organizations.

Comment: Retired Defence Personnel are the most neglected by the MOD and the "Center- State" Sponsored Sainik Boards. The offices function from dingy outlets with cobwebbed roofs and array of dusty files. No information is ever retrievable from the file handling babus. They are generally manned by corrupt personnel selected by the state Governments to siphon off funds. Can automation HELP? We hope so! The indentity card for Soldiers issued by the Zila Board is itself a testimony to its set standard, mission and proficiency.