HP Govt to resume Rs.2 lakh annual grant to Ex-Servicemen League: Chief Minister

Dharmshala, January 9, 2014: Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that the Soldiers of Himachal  had made supreme sacrifices in the freedom struggle besides safeguarding the National and International boundaries.
Singh said that the first Param Veer Chakra of the country was awarded to Major Somnath of Himachal Pradesh and out of total four Param Veer Chakras were given for Kargil aggression, two were given to brave sons of the State.
Vir Bhadra said, “My government is committed to safeguard the interests of the soldiers and ex-servicemen and all the best possible measures were being taken to provide them the required facilities in the State.”
He was presiding over the State Level function of Indian Ex-Servicemen League organised at the Government Polytechnic Institute, Kangra on Thursday .The Chief Minister said, “Soldiers of Himachal Pradesh always remain ahead, fighting for sake of the Nation and making sacrifices thereby bringing laurels to the country and the State. He said that we were proud of our soldiers who were the source of the inspiration for everybody and it was our duty to give them honor and protect their interests at all cost.
Virbhadra Singh said that effective and speedy implementation of welfare schemes for ex-servicemen was being ensured by the State government which includes reservation in government jobs, scholarship schemes for their children, loan facilities for self- employment ventures besides various other incentives.
The Chief Minister said that the State would effectively take up the issue of change in norms on basis of population for recruitment in the armed forces. He said that the long pending issue of one rank-one pension had been accepted by the Centre Government but few issues were still pending which would be effectively plead before the Union Government in large interests of ex-servicemen in the State.
He said that the Government had increased the rates of annuity payable to Gallantry Award Winners and all other distinguished awardees. The Government had also introduced 34 welfare schemes for the rehabilitation and welfare of ex- servicemen, war widows and their dependents.
Virbhadra Singh said that all vacant posts of Deputy Director, Sainik Welfare would be filled up in the State at the earliest. He also announced to resume rupees two lakh annual grant to the Ex-Servicemen League which was discontinued by the previous BJP government. He said that appropriate land would also be made available to the League to construct its building.
Maj. Vijay Singh Mankotia, President, Indian Ex-Services League, thanked CM for taking various measures for ensuring the welfare of the soldiers and ex-servicemen. He demanded to remove population criteria in recruitment of the soldiers and setting up of State Training Academy for Armed Forces in the State. He also urged that the two Eco-Force Companies already established in the State and NCC wing should not be winded up.// dharamsala news update, dharamsala information, dharamsala news, himachal news online, himachal news kangra, himachal news in english, himachal news today, himachal news, india news,