Introduction of Martyrs Day
January 30th, 2024 on this Martyrs Day, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on this day in 1948, since then this day is declared as Martyrs Day by the central government. January 30th has been celebrated as Martyrs Day in remembrance of all the brave hearts of our nation who have sacrificed their lives for our country. ; that is our defense forces who protect our country.
Through this blog we are paying respect to all the martyrs and shed light on the martyr’s stories. How the government has recognized the sacrifice made by our brave soldiers and ensures martyrs’ kin is taken care of.
Martyrs Day / Shaheed Diwas
Martyr: Martyr has a broad meaning in terms of sacrifice serving one’s nation. Martyrs Day is celebrated to honor heroes who have sacrificed their lives protecting the country. Martyrs Day (at the national level also known as Shaheed Diwas) are days declared in India to honor recognized martyrs of the nation.
Post India’s independence on 15th August 1947, our country has been involved in many conflicts of different magnitudes and participated in numerous operations both inland and overseas. In the course of its 75+ year post Independence history, India has fought its share of wars 1947, 1961-62, 1965, 1971, 1999, and 2019. Our country continues to engage in counter-terrorism operations and proxy war from across the front resulting in a number of battle casualties. A number of area/battle specific memorials are built across the country as well as the National War Memorial in India’s capital.
National War Memorial
A National War memorial in New Delhi, Delhi, India, located at India Gate Circle. It has been built to honor and remember soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who fought in armed conflicts of independent India. The names of armed forces personnel killed during the armed conflicts with Pakistan and China as well as the 1961 War in Goa, Operation Pawan, and other operations such as Operation Rakshak are inscribed on the memorial walls in golden letters.
Since-Independence, more than 26,000 soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces have made the supreme sacrifice to defend the sovereignty and integrity of the country. The National War Memorial thus represents the gratitude of a nation to its Armed Forces. The Memorial will help strengthen the sense of belonging, high moral values, sacrifice and national pride in our citizens. It stands as a testimony to the sacrifices made by our soldiers during various conflicts, United Nations Operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Operations since Independence.
The old Amar Jawan Jyoti, located at India Gate, previously served as the national war memorial. It was constructed in a short time frame following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, so that it could be inaugurated on 26 January 1972 as a mark of respect to the martyrs of the war. The flame from here was merged with the flame at the new National War Memorial on 21 January 2022.
Government Schemes for the Martyrs and their kin
The Government has made various provisions to provide concession in education, health and other facilities to the children of martyred soldiers. Press information Bureau of Government India has promised and published following grants/schemes for Martyrs’ kin.
Children Education Grant: Following educational concession is being given to officers/Personnel Below Officer Rank missing/disabled/killed in action.
Tuition Fees: Full reimbursement of tuition fee (Capitation fee and caution money not included) levied by the educational institutions concerned (including charges levied for the school bus maintained by the school or actual fares paid for railway pass for students or bus fare certified by the Head of Institutes).
Hostel Charges: Full reimbursement of Hostel charges for those studying in boarding schools and colleges.
Cost of books/stationary: Rs. 2,000/- (Rupees two thousand only) per annum or the amount claimed by the student, whichever is less.
Cost of Uniform where this is compulsory: Rs. 2,000/- (Rupees two thousand only) or the amount claimed by the student, whichever is less.
Clothing: Rs. 7,00/- (Rupees seven hundred only) per annum per student or the amount claimed by the student, whichever is less.
Free Health Scheme: ECHS (Ex- Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) provides cashless health care to war-widows/war disabled defense personnel and their NoKs. War Widows are not required to pay the membership fee.
Other facilities: Allotment of SAFAL Outlets: SAFAL outlets, a subsidiary of Mother Dairy Private Limited comprising Fruit & Vegetable Shops are provided to Widows/ Dependents of service personnel who passed away in service/Ex-Servicemen. The same is only applicable in Delhi & NCR Region.
Issue of DGR Eligibility Certificate for allotment of Oil Product Agencies advertised under 8% Reserved Quota: The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has reserved 8% quota for allotment of LPG Distributorship and Petrol/Diesel Retail Outlets for Defense personnel which also include Widows/dependents of members of Armed Forces who died in war or in harness due to attributable or aggravated causes to Military Service.
The eligibility certificate, certifying an individual’s eligibility to apply for the above distributorship, is issued by the office of DGR to eligible persons. The final selection/ allotment is undertaken by the concerned Oil Company as per their policy in vogue on the subject issue.
Reservation in CPSEs and Banks: As per Ministry of Finance, Bureau of Public Enterprises OM No. 6/55/79-BPE(GM-I) dated 13 March 1980, 14.5% vacancies in Group ‘C’ and 24.5% vacancies in Group ‘D’ jobs are reserved for Ex-Servicemen including 4.5% for disabled ESM & dependent of Service personnel killed in action in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Also, Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs (Banking Division) vide OM No. F/2/11/79-SCT(B) dated 09.06.1980, 14.5% vacancies in Group ‘C’ and 24.5% vacancies in Group ‘D’ jobs are reserved for Ex-Servicemen including 4.5% for disabled ESM & dependent of Service personnel killed in action in Public Sector banks.
The financial assistance is provided to family/dependents of martyred soldiers as under:
INDIAN ARMY
| ENTITLEMENT SHEET: NEXT OF KIN | ||||
| Sl.
No. |
Entitlements | Entitled Amount | ||
| Officers | Junior Commissioned
Officers (JCOs) |
Other Ranks (OR) | ||
| 1. | Ex-Gratia central Government | Rs. 25 to 45 lacs | Rs. 25 to 45 lacs | Rs.25 to 45 lacs |
| 2. | AGI Maturity | As per contribution | ||
| 3. | Pension | Liberalized/SpecialFamilyPension100%/60% of last RE (Basic Pay +MSP) | ||
| 4. | DCRG | Based on length of service (Max 20lac) | ||
| 6. | Ex-Gratia
(Army Central Welfare Fund-ACWF) |
Rs.8,00,000 | Rs.8,00,000 | Rs.8,00,000 |
| 7. | Ex-Gratia
(Domicile State Government) |
As applicable | ||
ASSISTANCE BEING PROVIDED BY DTE OF INDIAN ARMY VETERANS(DIAV)
NoK (BC Fatal)
| Sl.
No. |
Category | Amount | Remarks |
| (a) | Financial Grants | ||
| Ex-Gratia out of Army Central Welfare Fund(K) is provided to NoKof BC(Fatal) | Rs. 8,00,000 | 1st Tranche – Rs.1,00,000 (on occurrence of casualty) 2nd Tranche– Rs.7,00,000 (On Receipt of final documents) | |
| (b) | Welfare Schemes | ||
|
Rs. 1,00,000 | ||
|
Education scholarship covering the entire expenditure up to graduation through CW-3 | ||
| (ab) Post Graduation | Rs. 25,000 per year(max) | ||
| (ac) Professional Courses | Rs. 50,000 per year(max) | ||
|
Rs. 35,000 | ||
|
|||
| (aa) Graduation | Rs. 20,000 per year(max) | ||
| (ab) Post Graduation | Rs. 25,000 per year(max) | ||
| (ac) Professional Courses | Rs. 50,000 per year(max) | ||
Source (pib.gov.in)
INDIAN NAVY
Pensionary benefits (LFP/SFP/OFP, Ex-Gratia, DCRG/Gratuity) as per entitlement are paid to NOKs of the Naval Personnel. Financial assistance in terms of benefits like ex-gratia is provided under various categories to widows and dependents of deceased soldiers as per pension regulation promulgated by the Government. Family pension and gratuity to families and dependents is based on the last pay drawn and last rank held by the deceased soldiers at the time of his death whilst Ex-gratia amount is given to the NoK of a soldier killed in action or in course of duty irrespective of rank and qualifying service, based on circumstances of death. Ex-Gratia compensation is given in the range of Rs.25-45 lakhs.
INDIAN AIR FORCE
An institutional mechanism by way of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for timely dispensing of pension and other Non-Effective (NE) benefit to NoK/dependents has been put in place in Indian Air Force (IAF). However, the following Pensionary benefits are being provided to the Next of Kin (NoK) of the Air Warriors killed in action as per the Government Policy.
- Liberalized Family Pension (LPF) is being granted to Next of Kin of the Air Warriors killed in Action. It is granted in case of death of an Armed Forces Personnel due to acts of Violence/attack by terrorist, anti-social elements, enemy action in international war, action during deployment with a peace keeping mission abroad, border skirmishes etc. It is granted @ 100% of reckonable emolument + admissible Dearness Relief applicable from time to time. It continues seven after re-marriage of the widow.
- Death cum Retirement Gratuity (DCRG). It is payable to the widow/NOK/nominated family member of the deceased officer/Airmen/NCs(E) who die in harness as per the length of qualifying service.
- Ex-Gratia Payment: Ex-gratia Lump Sum Compensation given as per the following details: –
| Sl. No | Circumstances | Rates (in Rs.) |
| (aa) | Death occurring due to accident in course of performance of
duties |
25 Lakhs |
| (ab) | Death in the course of performance of duties attributed to acts
of violence by terrorists, anti-social elements etc. |
25 Lakhs |
| (ac) | Death occurring in border skirmishes and action against
militants, terrorists, extremists, sea pirates. |
35 Lakhs |
| (ad) | Death occurring while on duty in the specified high altitude, inaccessible border posts, on account of natural disasters, extreme weather conditions. | 35 Lakhs |
| (ae) | Death occurring enemy action in war or such war like engagements, which are specifically notified by Ministry of Defense and death occurring during evacuation of Indian National from a war-torn zone in foreign country. | 45 Lakhs |
Source (pib.gov.in)
THE DETAILS OF WELFARE SCHEMES RUN BY KENDRIYA SAINIK BOARD (KSB)
- Financial assistance/benefits given from Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) under Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF)
| Sl. No. | Grants | Amount |
|
|
Penury Grant (65 Yrs and above)
(Non-Pensioners up to Hav Rank) |
Rs. 4,000/-pm
(Lifetime) |
|
|
Education Grant (up to two children)
(Pensioner/Non-Pensioner up to Hav Rank) and up to two children |
Rs. 1,000/-pm |
|
|
Disabled Children Grant
(Pensioner/Non-Pensioner up to JCO Rank) |
Rs. 3,000/-pm |
|
|
Daughter’s Marriage Grant (up to 02 Daughters)
(Pensioner/Non-Pen up to Hav Rank) |
Rs. 50,000/-* |
| Widow Re-Marriage Grant
(Pensioner/Non-Pen up to Hav Rank) *If married solemnly on or after 21stApril, 2016. |
||
|
|
Medical Treatment Grant
(Non-pensioner up to Hav Rank) |
Rs. 30,000/-
(Max) |
|
|
Orphan Grant
(Pensioner/Non-pen All Ranks)
|
Rs. 3,000/-PM
|
|
|
Vocational Trg Grant For Widows
(Pensioner/Non-Pen up to HavRank) |
Rs. 20,000/-
(One Time) |
Source (pib.gov.in)
- Serious diseases Grant from AFFD Fund to Non-Pensioners ESM of all Ranks: –
|
|
Serious Diseases as listed below: -Angioplasty, Angiography, CABG, Open Heart Surgery, Valve Replacement, Pacemaker Implant, Renal Implant, Prostate Surgery, Joint Replacement and Cerebral Stroke.
Other Diseases: Where more than Rs. 1.00 Lakh has been spent on treatment. |
75% and 90% of total expenditure to Officer and Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) respectively Up to Rs.1.25 Lac (max) |
|
|
Dialysis and Cancer treatment | 75% and 90% of total expenditure to Officer and PBOR respectively Up to a max of Rs. 75,000/- per FY only |
Source (pib.gov.in)
- 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).
- 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 peacetime casualties. Rs. 1,00,000/-(Max)
- Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme: Total 5500 scholarships are provided to eligible wards based on merit for the entire duration of the courses. The rates of Scholarship are as follows:
- Rs.2500/-per month for boys.
- Rs.3000/-per month for girls.
- Financial support to institutions involved in rehabilitation of ESM:-
| Sl. No. | Organization | Quantum of Aid/Grant | |
| (a) | Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centres
|
Establishment grant (per annum)
i) Rs. 1.20 Cr (wef April,2016) (ii) Rs. 10,00,000/- (wef April, 2015) |
|
| (b) | All India Gorkha Ex-servicemen welfare association, Dehradun | Rs.12,00,000/- per annum | |
|
(c) |
Cheshire Homes
(i) Lucknow, Delhi & Dehradun |
Rs. 15,000/-per annum per inmate |
|
| (d) | War Memorial Hostels. There are36 WMHs which provide shelter to the children of War Widows/Ward is abled, attributable and non
Attributable cases. |
Rs. 1350/-per month |
Source (pib.gov.in)
- Reservation of seats in Medical/Dental Colleges for wards of Defence Personnel as Government of India Nominee. A total of 42 MBBS seats and 3 seats in BDS courses are allotted by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to KSB for wards of Defence personnel as a Government of India nominee. Priority is given to wards of personnel killed inaction.
- Rail Travel Concession Identity Cards. KSB Sectt issues rail travel concession identity cards to war widows.
Website Launch for armed forces casualties welfare fund
Along with these schemes and policies by the Indian Government, Defense Minister Rajnath SIngh launched a website for Martyr’s Families Welfare Fund. The website is called ‘Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot’ (MBKS) and was launched at the National War Memorial complex in 2022. The portal will also enable citizens to contribute to the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (AFBCWF). AFBCWF is a tri-service fund, which is being utilized for grant of immediate financial assistance to the families of our soldiers, sailors and airmen. (Source Hindustan Times, 14th Oct 22)
Compensation to Families of Security Personnel Killed in Pulwama Attack
The Next of Kin (NoK)/families of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel killed in the Pulwama attack have been provided the following compensation/ benefits: –
Rs. 35 lakhs as Central Ex-gratia lump sum compensation, Rs. 5 lakhs as Ex-gratia from duty State, Rs. 20 lakhs from Risk Fund of CRPF, Rs. 1.5 lakhs from Central Welfare Fund of CRPF, Rs. 30 lakhs from State Bank of India Para Military Salary Package (PMSP) cover. In addition, they have received Ex-gratia from Home States as per rules of the State concerned.
Voluntary donors have also contributed through ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ portal. Besides, additional compensation given by some of the States is Gujarat Government Rs. 10 lakh, Tripura Government Rs. 2 lakh, and Sikkim Government Rs. 3 lakhs.
The above benefits/ compensations are in addition to admissible service benefits viz. Death –cum- Retirement Gratuity (DCRG), Group Insurance, General Provident Fund (GPF) and Liberalized Pensionary Award under Central Civil Service (Extra Ordinary Pension) Rules,1939.
As regards compassionate appointment/Government jobs, 08 NoKs have been provided Government jobs, cases of 04 NoKs are in process, 06 NoKs are unwilling for jobs in CRPF. Wards of 18 cases are minors and in 4 cases, only old aged parents are available. This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today. As per pib.gov.in.
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