Kohima, Nov 7 (MExN): Central and state government is all set to extend full financial assistance to ex-servicemen, their widows and dependents through Rajya Sainik Board, besides 5-10% job reservations both in the state and central government department.
According the Rajya Sainik Board booklet “Concessions and Facilities” which was released today on the occasion of Ex-Servicemen rally by state Governor Shyamal Datta, the Board has created its welfare fund from Rs 6 lakhs to Rs 2 crore during 2002-06, with financial assistance from the state government and Ministry of Defence, and has been invested in fixed deposits in the Govt. of India/RBI Bond and commercial banks.
Under the multi welfare fund the ex-servicemen or their widow are to get Rs 2000 for the funeral, Rs 5000 one time grant to battle or physical casualty to serving soldiers as funeral expenses, Rs 5000 medical treatment fee for non-pensioners not eligible for ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, Rs 1800 ECHS registration fee for widow pensioner, Rs 1000 financial assistance to ex-servicemen and widows in distress living condition, Rs 8000 marriage grant to daughter of ex-servicemen, Rs 1000 lump-sum grant for vocational training in Govt. recognized institution sponsored by DGR, MOD, Rs 500 scholarship for son of ex-servicemen who are residing and studying in War Memorial Hostels and is not in receipt of grant from KSB, Rs 5000 Book grant for children of ex-servicemen with 55% aggregate marks in matric and above for admission into professional college, expenditure on pre-recruitment training, expenditure on rallies and meeting and Rs 2,600 (per set of uniform) for procurement of Mufti dress.
RSB also said that 5% of Class III/Group C (Non-gazetted) and Class IV/Group D under the state government will reserved for the ex-servicemen. It also said that under the state police department 5% of Class III and IV posts shall be reserved for the ex-servicemen.
Reservations under the central government comes higher for the ex-servicemen with 10-20% of Group D and C job being reserved for the ex-servicemen, while in the public sector 14.5% to 25.5%. 10% of posts of assistant commandant in central paramilitary forces are also reserved for ex-servicemen, it said, besides other benefits.
Earlier speaking to the mammoth gathering of the ex-servicemen rally held at the 26 Assam Rifle Auditorium, state Governor Shymal Datta said that ex-servicemen is the best human resources in the state as they are discipline and trained. He urged upon the ex-servicemen to know their rights and the schemes that are available for them.
“Know what you are supposed to get”, Governor said adding that they should press upon the RSB to accord what is due to them.
So far about 4000 Nagas boys has been recruited in both military and paramilitary forces, with enrollment in the army topping the list followed by Assam Rifles, Navy and Indian Force.
In the last one year, number of ex-servicemen has also been upped by 552. Out of the 2896 ex-servicemen so far registered, Mokokchung district has the highest number with 763, followed by Kohima with 508 and Wokha and Dimapur with 505, while Longleng district recorded the lowest number of ex-servicemen with only 7. There are about 423 ex-servicemen and about 432 widows till date.
Rajya Sainik Baord source also further said that census of the ex-servicemen have become very important subject as all welfare and re-settlement grants from the centre and state government are sanctioned on the basis of population of the ex-servicemen and their dependents, however, rued that this issue has not been given serious attention by the deputy commissioners and secretaries of the ZSBs as even today large number of ex-servicemen and their widows have not been registered. Besides, serving soldiers are also not properly accounted for, it said.
Today rally was attended by large number of ex-servicemen from all districts of the state. Nagaland Home Minister, Thenucho, Lt Gen. Dadwal, Commodore Chauhdari, Secretary, Kendriya Sanik Board, Col BL Chaudhari, Officiating Station Commander and L Thomti, representative of Controller of Defence Account Pension also spoke on the occasion, while Lt. Col. IS Jakhalu, Secretary, RSB gave the welcome address and talks on progress of previous rallies, and IGP K Kire, Special Secretary (Home) gave the vote of thanks.
