Governor Stresses upon need for Defence Academies in the State

Governor Stresses upon need for Defence Academies in the State

               Rs. 4.10 crore for repair & construction of Rest Houses in the State –CM

           
  Grant for marriage of daughters, of war widows enhanced, from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 50,000


            Vijyender Sharma

SHIMLA---Governor Acharya Devvrat stressed upon the need to establish Defence Academies  in the State, preparing students for clearing Service Selection Board for entry in defence forces. These Academies would be able to create aptitude in students towards defence services and fill up the shortage of officers in forces besides getting jobs in forces. 

            The Governor was presiding over the 25th meeting of State Sainik Welfare Board and 43rd   meeting of State Managing Committee for Management and Administration of Special Fund for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen here, today.

            He said youth of the State owing to tough topographic conditions were naturally suited to guard the borders of the country.  These youth living in tough conditions have more experience to serve in such circumstances and said that more opportunities should be provided to the youth of the State in defence forces.   He also emphasized upon generating more employment opportunities for ex-servicemen and stressed on focusing upon effective rehabilitation schemes for them after retirement.

            The Governor lauded the contribution of ex-servicemen in the armed forces and added that their interests should be protected at all cost. Effective and speedy implementation of welfare schemes for ex-servicemen should be ensured, he added. He appreciated the steps being taken by the Centre and State Government for the welfare of ex-servicemen. 

             Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh, speaking on the occasion, said that the State Government was committed for welfare of ex-servicemen as well as serving soldiers of the State. He said pension matters of those ex-servicemen who were without any kind of pension would be included, in the budget speech, to ensure pensionery benefits.

            He also approved that grant for marriage of daughters of war widows be enhanced from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 50,000.  He approved that all vacant posts in Sainik Kalyan Board be filled up, at the earliest.

            He said, a military station, would be established, very soon in the State for which the process of identifying proper land was in progress. After selection of land, new sub area could be, set up in the State, keeping in view its strategic location.

            Chief Minister said Rs. 1.60 crore would be spent on reconstruction of Sainik Rest House Solan with provision of parking in the ground floor. He said that Rs. 2.50 crore crore had been released for repair and maintenance of Sainik Rest Houses in the State. A toll free number at Sainik Welfare Headquarter, Hamirpur would also be made functional to disseminate information related to benefits and problems of ex-servicemen.

            Wards of ex-servicemen, interested in coaching of SSB for military would be given one time stipend of Rs. 6000, so that these youth could also be commissioned in military. Youth of Himachal Pradesh, undergoing training in NDA or through technical entry would also be given enhanced scholarship. Posts of Chowkidar-cum-Waiter-cum- Server will also be increased and filled up for Sainik Rest Houses keeping in view the requirement.

            Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Sainik Welfare Dr. (Col.) Dhani  Ram Shandil said that welfare of ex-servicemen had always been the priority of the State Government. He said that Rs. three crore has been distributed under 'Shaurya Puraskar' and Rs. 6.50 crore under old age financial assistance,  to ex-servicemen. In addition to this, Rs. 1.15 crore  had been released, as grant to families of martyrs from the State, he added.

            Shri Mohan Chauhan, Secretary GAD and  Sainik Welfare also briefed out various activities being executed by the State Government for the welfare of ex-serviceman.

            Director, Sainik  Kalyan Board  Brig. Retd. S.K. Verma, gave details of various welfare schemes, being run by State Sainik Welfare Board.

            Chief Secretary Shri V.C. Pharka, GOC Headquarter Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh Major Gen. Vinod Kumar, Chief of Staff, Headquarter Western Command Lt. Gen. I.S. Guman, Officiating Chief of Staff, ARTRAC Brig. J.K.S Virk, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Senior officers of State Government and Army, Official and Non-Official Members of the Board attended the meeting.

**VijyenderSharma*, Press Correspondent Bohan Dehra Road  JAWALAMUKHI-176031, Kangra HP(INDIA)*
 
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