At the Centre, the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Wing of the Ministry of Defence is responsible for the formulation of the policy guidelines and schemes for resettlement of ex-Servicemen. The Director General of Resettlement (DGR), under the Ministry of Defence, is the nodal agency for overseeing execution and proper implementation of the Central schemes for ex-servicemen. DGR is also responsible for liaison with the state/UT government. In the states and Union Territories, the Departments of Sainik Welfare at the state level and Zila Sainik Welfare Officers at the district level are functioning to attend to the problems of ex-servicemen and to execute the rehabilitation and welfare schemes at state and district levels respectively.
Ex-Servicemen Population A total of 13,95,819 ex-Servicemen and 2,56,382 widows of the Service personnel were registered with various Zila Sainik Boards in the country in June, 1997. The ex-Servicemen population is mainly concentrated in the States of Uttar Pradesh (2,45,195), Punjab (1,78,932), Haryana (1,38,898), Maharashtra (1,20,614), Kerla (1,18,967), Tamil Nadu (96,870), Rajsthan (89,666) and Himachal Pradesh (73,163). Resettlement The Central Government is providing the following avenues for resettlement/reemployment of ex-Servicemen.
Training Programmes Resettlement Training Programmes for Officers range from vocational courses of three months duration to degree/diploma course in Business Administration, Personnel Management, Hotel Management and Tourism, Human Resource Training and Development, etc. of one to three years duration. In an endeavour to further increase the job potential in civil markets as well as to have more self employment avenues, courses like Equity and portfolio Management, Office Automation, LAN Engineering, Reorientation Course for job/self employment, Consultancy as a Career, Computer Courses C & UNIX, MS Window, FOXPRO, ORACLE and HRD have been introduced. Emphasis has all along been on employment/self employment oriented training programmes so that new avenues, both for officer s and other ranks, are opened. A number of new courses and job-oriented training programmes have been included in the training schedule. Training includes inputs on managerial science as well as technology and know-how required in the civil field. Constant endeavour is made to improve the quality of training to enhance the post-employment opportunities of Defence Service personnel and to equip them with necessary qualifications and expertise. The training programmes for JCOs /OR include Vocational courses like Security Management, Export/Import Management, Marketing/Sales Management, Tourism and Travel Agency Management Course. To improve employment potential of ex-servicemen in civil life, courses like Computer Hardware Maintenance & Diplomas in Medical Laboratory and X-Ray/ECG Technology, Ceramic Handicrafts and Electroplating. Sub-Fire/Asst. Security Officers and Insurance Agency Management Courses, Coaching for Staff Selection Commission Examination, On-the Job training at Maruti Udyog, Cable TV Management, Screen Printing and Industrial Painting Courses are being conducted. Government has accorded sanction for more than 350 courses for vocation training, besides courses at more than 200 it is for pre-cum-release training and On-The-Job-Training courses at 85 PSUs/Departmental Undertakings.
The number of the personnel imparted training during last five years is as under :-
**PEXSEM Scheme under suspension since April 1996 for review. Re-Employment
Reservations for Ex-Servicemen in Government Jobs Relaxation in Age Relaxation in education
qualification
Security
Agencies Placement of JCOs / ORs
*Provisional
Self Employment Schemes As it is not feasible to provide government jobs to all ex-servicemen after their retirement from the Armed Forces, Government has formulated several schemes for encouraging and giving financial support by way of loans to ex-Servicemen enterpreneurs intending to set up small and medium industries. Important self Employment Schemas are SEMFEX-I, SEMFEX-II and SEMFEX-III. Applications for sanction of loans are submitted by ex-servicemen directly to concerned Zila Sainik Boards in the states. The applications are scrutinised and those who satisfy eligibility criteria and other terms and conditions are recommended for sanction of loan through State Financial Corporation aided by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Scheduled Commercial Banks, District Central Co-Operative Banks, State Land Development Banks and Regional Rural Banks aided by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas have reserved 7.5 percent of Oil Product Agencies i.e. LPG, Kerosene Oil Agencies, and Petrol Pumps for the following categories of Defence personnel :- Ex-Servicemen Coal Transport Companies Ex-Servicemen have set up transport companies for the transportation of coal under the aegis of Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries. Presently these companies are operating in the coal mines in Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. 116 ex-servicemen Coal Transport Companies are functioning in different coal subsidiaries.
Transportation of Bulk LPG Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) has formulated LPG transportation schemes with Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Company limited for resettlement of ex-servicemen. Under the scheme, transportation of Bulk LPG,LPG packed cylinders, Petrol/Diesel, Bitumen and other oil products is offered to ex-servicemen. This work is available throughout the country. Loan is available under SEMFEX-I scheme and commercial bank loan schemes to procure the tanker. Ex-servicemen, widows and disabled defence personnel below 60 years of age, are eligible for the scheme. Other Self Employment Opportunities Ex-servicemen are also eligible for allotment of UTI agencies, allotment of Class V-B vehicles, allotment of milk, fruit and vegetable booths, allotment of parking sites in Delhi, cement and fertiliser agencies. Preference is given to ex-Servicmen, disabled Defence personnel and widows in the allotment of ISD/STD booths. Welfare The Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) under the Chairmanship of Raksha Mantri has been established for laying down the general policy of the welfare of ex-Servicemen and their dependents; for the administration of Welfare funds and also for coordinating the work of the Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs), Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs). The expenditure on the resettlement work in the States is shared by the Central and the Statement Government in ratio of 50:50. The KSB also administers the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. The corpus of the fund, as on December 31, 1997 was Rs. 57.02 crore. Various welfare activities for the Ex-Servicemen and their dependents are financed from the earnings of the fund. Financial assistance is also provided from this fund to the institutions such as Paraplegic Homes, the Red Cross Society, the Cheshire Homes, Military Hospitals, St. Dunstan’s After Care Organisation and the homes for taking care of the old and physically handicapped Ex-servicemen and their dependents.
Financial Assistance from Raksha Mantri's Discretionary Fund A portion of the earnings of Armed Forces Flag Day Fund is termed as Raksha Mantri's Discretionary Fund and is used to provide financial assistance to poor and needy ax-Servicemen for various purposes viz., medical treatment, marriage of daughters, repair of houses, education of children. Monthly financial assistance up to a period of two years is also provided to old and infirm ax-Servicemen/widow of ax-Servicemen living in penury. Medical facilities for Ex-Servicemen Defence personnel after retirement are provided adequate medical cover under a comprehensive package. The package consists of the following medical facilities/concessions : (i) Ex-Servicemen are provided free outpatient treatment in Military Hospitals. They are also provided in-patient treatment in Military Hospitals, except for psychiatric treatment, cancer treatment, kidney transplantation and coronary bypass surgery. (ii) For ailments in respect of which treatment is not available in Military Hospitals, medical cover is provided under the Group Insurance schemes of the Armed Forces. Under the Group Insurance scheme, an amount of rupees one lakh is paid for heart treatment, Rs. 75,000/- for cancer treatment, Rs. one lakh for Renal transplant and Rs. 75,000/- for hip and knee joint replacement. (iii) Those ax-Servicemen who are not covered under the medical insurance schemes, are provided financial assistance upto 60% of total expenditure on treatment of serious diseases, e.g., by-pass surgery, angiography, kidney renal transplant, cancer, coronary artery surgery, etc., by the Kendriya Sainik Board. (iv) Ex-Servicemen can also take treatment in state government civil hospitals. (v) 24 MI Rooms and 12 Dental Centers have been set up for providing medical facilities exclusively to ex-Servicemen and their dependents. (vi) Needy ax-Servicemen are also provided financial assistance for medical treatment from Raksha Mantri's Discretionary Fund upto a maximum of Rs. 15 ,000/-.
Other Welfare Schemes The other welfare activities for the Ex-servicemen/families of Service Personnel killed or disabled in action are briefly as under : (a) Children of Defence Personnel killed or permanently disabled in action who are studying in institutions under the Department of Education, are granted complete exemption from tuition fee and other fee levied by the institution. (b) Reservation of 25 seats in MBBS and one seat in BDS have been made for the wards of ax-Servicemen killed or disabled in action or during in peace time due to attributable causes. (c) Two seats in each of the six IITs are reserved for children of the Defence/ Para Military Forces personnel killed or permanently disabled in action. (d) 25 per cent reservation for wards of serving and retired Armed Forces personnel in Sainik Schools; (e) 50 per cent concession is provided in air fare for travel in domestic flight of Indian Airlines to recipients of gallantry awards of Param Vir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Ashok Chakra & Kirti Chakra; permanently disabled officers and dependent members of their families; and to the war widows of post Independent era. Travel concessions are also provided by the Ministry of Railways to war windows and the winner of the gallantry awards. (f) Ex-Servicemen can avail of Canteen facilities from the nearest CSD canteens. (g) 35 War memorial hostels have been constructed to provide accommodation to wards of war bereaved and disabled personnel to enable them to pursue their studies. Kendriya Sainik Board also provices education grant to the children staying in these hostels. (h) 238 Sainik Bhawans/Rest Houses spread all over the country have been established for ex-Servicemen.
Pension to Armed Forces Personel For the maintenance of combat efficiency and youthful profile of our Armed Forces, service personnel are retired comparatively at a younger age as compared to civilian employees. Their service condition also differ greatly from civilians owing to expediency of service. The Armed Forces personnel are called upon to serve in difficult areas/terrains, far away from their families. In the event of hostilities they are also expected to make the supreme sacrifice of the life to maintain the territorial integrity of the country. Pension in normal & war Condition The nature of retirement/release from service determines the admissibility of the type of pension in the case of Armed Forces personnel. On normal retirement/release from service on completion of the prescribed tenure, Retiring/Serving pension is paid. In cases of disablement in non-battle casualty cases, disability pension is sanctioned on the recommendation of the appropriate medical authority. Personnel injured/wounded during war or war like operations are granted a special pension known as War Injury Pension. The rates, terms and conditions for grant of these pensions are detailed in the following paragraphs.
Retiring / Service Pension While in the case of commissioned officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force, the minimum period of qualifying service (without weightage) actually rendered and required for earning retiring pension is 20 years ( 15 years in the case of late entrants), in the case of PBOB it is 15 years (20 years in the case of NCs(E). Retiring/Service pension admissible to the Armed Forces personnel is calculated at 50 percent of the average reckonable emoluments, as in the case of civil pensioners. However, keeping in view their early retirement, Armed Forces personnel are given the benefit of added years of service while calculating their qualifying service for pension. The benefit of added years of service ranges from 9 years for Captains and below, to 3 years for Generals. Personnel below Officers rank are given the benefit of 5 added years of service for determining their qualifying service. In the case of officers, pension is calculated on the basis of the average of pay drawn during the last 10 months of service. In the case of personnel below Officers rank, it is calculated with reference to the maximum pay of the rank held for 10 months preceding retirement. For calculating gratuity, a uniform weightage of 5 years added service is given to all ranks. Armed Forces personnel are also permitted higher commutation of their pension as compared to civilians. Disability Pension A person who is medically boarded out of service on account of a disease/injury/ wound attributable to or aggravated by military service, is entitled to disability pension, provided the disability assessed by the medical boards more than 20 per cent. Disability Pension consists of Service element and Disability element. The service element is related to the length of service rendered by the individual and the disability element is paid in the form of compensation for the disablement and depends on the degree of disablement. The amount of service element is equal to the normal retiring/service pension. The service element subject to a minimum of Rs.375 is also payable when the length of service rendered is less than the minimum pensionable service. Personnel with 100 percent disability are also paid a Constant Attendance Allowance at the rate of Rs.300 per month on the recommendations of a medical board. In all other cases, where the personnel are invalidated out of service with a disability neither attributable to nor aggravated by the military service, invalid pension is granted, if the service actually rendered is 10 years or more. If the service is less than 10 years, such service personnel are paid invalidating gratuity depending upon the length of service.
War Injury Pension War Injury Pension is sanctioned to an individual who sustains injury/disability in war or war like operations. In case of invalidment on account of War Injury, War Injury Pension at the rate of last pay drawn is paid to the individual if the degree of disability is 100 per cent. Where war disability is less than 100 per cent, the amount of war injury pension is proportionately reduced but the amount of war injury pension payable is not less than 60 per cent of the reckonable emoluments in the case of Commissioned Officers, and 80 per cent of the reckonable emoluments in the case of personnel below officers rank. Armed Forces personnel who are retained in service despite war injury and retire subsequently are given an option either to draw lump sum compensation in lieu of war injury or to draw war injury pension at the time of subsequent retirement foregoing lump sum compensation. War Injury Pension at the above rates is also paid in cases where disability is assesses at less than 20 per cent on invalidment.
Family Pension Families of Armed Forces personnel who die during service or after retirement with pensions are granted family pension on a graded scale. The minimum family pension has been raised from Rs. 375 P.M. to Rs. 1275 P.M. w.e.f. January 1, 1996 on the recommendations of the fifth central pay commission. If the deceased personnel had rendered 7 years or more service then the family is given family pension at double the rate for the first 7 years or upto the time when deceased would have reached the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. However, when death is on account of causes attributable to or aggravated by service, the widow, who does not have a child is given Special Family Pension which is equal to 50 per cent of pay if the deceased was drawing pay upto Rs. 1500, 40 per cent if pay was Rs. 1501-3000 and 30 per cent of pay if pay was above Rs. 3000. Widows with children are granted Special Family Pension at the rate of 60 per cent of pay subject to a minimum pension of Rs. 750 P.M. and a maximum of Rs. 2500 P.M.. In recognition to the risks to life in war and in high risk operation, the families of the Armed Forces personnel who sacrifice their life during war or war like operations are granted liberalised special family pension equal to the last pay drawn by the deceased personnel at the time of his death. In addition to pension, dearness relief, as revised from time to time is also paid. The Fifth Central Pay Commission have made a series of recommendations for enhancement/revision of the rates of disability pension/special family pension/ war injury pension etc. in respect of Armed Forces personnel. These recommendations are under active consideration of the Government.
In so far as pre-1996 pensioner/family pensioners are concerned, pending issuance of detailed instruction regarding fixation of pay on notional basis/revision/ consolidation of all kinds of pensions/ family pensions and with a view to provide immediate relief to the existing pensioners of the Armed Forces, necessary orders have been issued for the regulation with effect from 1.1.96 of pension of all pre-1996 pensioners/family pensioners of the Armed Forces. The orders provide for consolidation with effect from 1.1.1996 of the pension/family pension by adding together: The existing pension/family pension Dearness Relief as admissible on 1.1.1996 Where the consolidated pension/family pension works out to an amount less than Rs. 1275/- the same will be stepped up to Rs.1275/- and this will be regarded as the pension/family pension with effect from 1.1.1996. All Pension Disbursing Authorities including public sector banks have been authorised to pay revised pension/ family pension to the pre-1.1.1996 pensioners/family pensioners, including first instalment of the arrears due, without any further authorisation from the concerned Pension Sanctioning Authority. In the light of the 5th Pay Commissions’s recommendations, necessary orders have also been issued raising the minimum limit of Service Pension to Rs. 1275/- per month with effect from 1.1.1996. Further, the Ordinary Family pension would be admissible at a uniform rate of 30% of reckonable emoluments, subject to a minimum of Rs. 1275/- per month and maximum of 30 per cent of the highest pay (Rs. 30,000) in the Government. The maximum limit of Retirement/Death Gratuity has also been raised to Rs. 3.5 Lakhs.
Expenditure on Defence Pension About 50,000 to 55,000 service personnel are retired/released every year. Presently the number of Defence Pensioners is estimated to be about 17 Lakhs. Pension to Defence Pensioners is disbursed through 25,000 branches of Public Sector Banks, 540 Treasuries, 60 Defence Pension Disbursing Offices and four PAOs scattered all over India. The annual expenditure on defence pension during last five years has been as follows :-
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
