Assistance to Ex-Servicemen: Total number of Ex-Servicemen and Schemes for welfare, resettlement and rehabilitation of the Ex-servicemen

Assistance to Ex-Servicemen: Total number of Ex-Servicemen and Schemes for welfare, resettlement and rehabilitation of the Ex-servicemen

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3333
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05th August, 2022

ASSISTANCE TO EX-SERVICEMEN

3333. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a) the financial assistance provided by the Government for implementation of the schemes for Welfare and Rehabilitation of Ex-servicemen;

(b) the main activities of Kendriya Sainik Board and the manner in which the said Board is beneficial for ex-servicemen and their families; and

(c) the details of efforts made towards making the grievance redressal mechanism effective and speedy for redressal of grievances of ex-servicemen?

A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI AJAY BHATT) IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a): KendriyaSainik Board(KSB) and Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) are implementing agencies of schemes for welfare and rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen respectively. The details of Financial assistance provided by the Government to KendriyaSainik Board (KSB) and Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) during last three years are as under:-

(b): KSB administers Armed Forces Flag Day Fund(AFFDF) and its related welfare schemes like RakshaMantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF). Besides guiding, monitoring, coordinating, providing budgetary support to various RajyaSainik Boards and ZilaSainik Boards across the country, the KSB also conducts meeting with the various States and stakeholders for improving the lives of Ex-servicemen. The Board is beneficial to the Ex- servicemen as it the nodal and apex body for welfare of Ex-servicemen throughout the country which is headed by Hon’ble RM.

(c): The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare has extended the online grievance redressal mechanism (CPGRAMS/CPENGRAMS) to ex-servicemen also so that the grievances of Ex-Servicemen can be redressed efficiently and in a time bound manners. The link of CPGRAMS/CPENGRAMS website has also been given in the website of Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, CGDA and all Pension Sanctioning Authorities so that Ex-Servicemen can lodge their grievances on any websites from their home by clicking on the pgportal.gov.in.

Further, a dedicated portal (Raksha Pension ShikayatNivaran Portal) for redressal of pension grievances of Ex-Servicemen (ESM) has been launched on 14th January, 2022. A Toll-free number has also been made operational in order to facilitate the ESM pensioner for smooth redressal of their grievance.

Interactive Voice Response Systems (IVRS) has been establish and operational as an interactive Toll Free Phone Number manned by Call Centre Executives in KSB Sectt.

The names of all RSBs have been included on NIC portal and CPGRAMS portal for speedy disposal of RTI cases and disposal of online grievances received in PG Portal. Case in progress for inclusion of all service Record Offices in the list of addressee on NIC portal.

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3263
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05th August, 2022

WELFARE OF EX-SERVICEMEN

3263. SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA: SHRI SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a) the total current number of Ex-servicemen in the country, State/UT-wise;

(b) the details of schemes being implemented for the welfare, resettlement and rehabilitation of the Ex-servicemen in the country;

(c) whether the Government proposes to provide additional benefits to the Ex-servicemen and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to introduce any new scheme/programme for welfare of the Ex-servicemen; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI AJAY BHATT) IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a): The number of Ex-Servicemen (ESM) in the country is placed at Annexure-A.

(b): Kendriya Sainik Board implements schemes for welfare and rehabilitation of Ex- Servicemen and their dependents across the country. The details are placed at Annexure- B.
Director General Resettlement (DGR) implements various resettlement schemes. The details are placed at Annexure-C.

(c): 1.The benefit amount of following schemes has been increased in last few years. The details are as follows:-

(i) Marriage grant increased from Rs 16000/- to Rs 50000/- per daughter w.e.f 01 April, 2016.

(ii) Penury grant increased from Rs 1000/- to Rs 4000/- pm wef 01 April, 2017.

(iii) 100 % Disabled Children grant increased from Rs 1000/- to Rs 3000/-pm w.e.f 01 August, 2021.

(iv) Mobility Equipment to disabled ESM increased from Rs 57000/- to Rs 1,00,000/-
w.e.f 01 April, 2022.

(v) Orphan Grant to the Children of Ex-servicemen increased from Rs 1000/- pm to Rs. 3000/-pm w.e.f 01 April, 2022.

2. Additional Rs 320 Crores was also allocated during FY 2021-22 to clear backlog cases of Penury, Marriage and Education grants.
(d): No, Sir.
(e): Not applicable

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STATE/UT: CENSUS DATA OF ESM AS ON 31 December, 2021

DETAILS OF VARIOUS WELFARE SCHEMES PROVIDED TO ESM /WIDOWSAND WAR WIDOWS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS BY KENDRIYA SAINIK BOARD (KSB)

1. Benefits given from Armed Forces Flag Day Fund under RMEWF :-

2. Serious diseases Grant from AFFD Fund to Non Pensioners ESM of all Ranks:-

3. Modified Scooter Grant. Rs one lakh provided to those ESM, who are disabled after service with a disability of 50% or more and who are not covered under the scheme of AG’s Branch of IHQ (Army, Navy & Air Force).

4. Subsidy on Home Loan. KSB Reimburses 50% of interest by way of subsidy on home loan from Bank/public sector institutions for construction of house to war bereaved, war disabled and attributable peace time casualties. Rs 1,00,000/- (Max)

5. Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme: Total 5500 scholarship are provided to eligible wards based on merit for the entire duration of the courses. The rates of Scholarship are as follows: –
(a) Rs. 2500/- per month for boys.
(b) Rs. 3000/- per month for girls.

6. Financial support to institutions involved in rehabilitation of ESM :-

7. Reservation of seats in Medical/Dental Colleges for wards of Defence Personnel as Govt of India Nominee. A total of 37 MBBS seats and 3 seats in BDS courses are allotted by Ministry of Health Family Welfare to KSB for wards of defence personnel as a Government of India nominee.

Resettlement of ESM is sought to be achieved through the following by Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) :-

(a) Upgrading their skills by imparting necessary training to prepare them to take on new assignments/jobs and assisting ESM in finding re-employment.

(b) Constant endeavor to provide employment opportunities in Government/Quasi Government/Public Sector Organizations.
(c) Pro-active action to facilitate re-employment of ESM in the Corporate Sector.

(d) Providing jobs through the following schemes for self employment –

(i) Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Coal Loading and Transportation Scheme

(ii) Coal Tipper Attachment Scheme for Widows and Disabled ESM

(iii) Security Agency Scheme

(iv) Scheme for providing Technical Services

(v) Issue of Eligibility Certificate for Allotment of Oil Product Agencies under 8% Quota Scheme

(vi) Management of Company Owned Company Operated (COCO) Outlets

(vii) Allotment of Mother Dairy Milk Booths and Fruit and Vegetable (Safal) Shops

(viii) Management of CNG station by ESM (Officers) in NCR

(ix) Issue of Eligibility Certificate for Allotment of regular LPG distributorship

(x) Issue of Eligibility Certificate for Allotment of Retail Outlet (Petrol & Diesel)

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Source: Lok Sabha PDF