Minister of State for Defence, Prof Chamanlal Gupta has stressed the need to chalk out more viable welfare schemes for ex-servicemen and their dependents. Inaugurating the 25th meeting of the Kendriya Sainik Board in New Delhi, the Minister sought active participation of states, union territories (UT) and the Service Chiefs in introducing new rehabilitation measures and also making the existing ones more effective. Referring to the recently launched Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Prof Gupta opined that this would be beneficial to pensioners and ex-servicemen.

Prof Chaman Lal Gupta said that the interests of ex-servicemen and their dependents can be safeguarded properly, only when the states monitor the welfare schemes meant for them from time to time. Although the Centre shares the establishment expenditure of the Department of Sainik Welfare with each state/UTs this department is not functioning satisfactorily in some states. The Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards in the states need to be given adequate powers so that they could do justice to their duties. Some Sainik Boards are being headed by civilian officers of the state governments, while as per the recommendations of the Ministry of Defence, all Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards should be headed by ex-defence officers of appropriate rank. The Sainik Board has to be revamped. Towards this end, a study has been undertaken by Institute of Technology Management, Mussoorie, which is likely to give its recommendations shortly, he added.

While appreciating the role of majority of the state governments in extending welfare packages to the families of Kargil martyrs, Prof Gupta urged the states to continue to provide more such concessions. The Minister noted that there is a need to coordinate and synergise the efforts of the central and state governments to meet the expectations of ex-servicemen and their families.

Referring to the post resettlement training for the ex-servicemen, the Minister said that this is being organised only in four/five states under the aegis of respective state’s department of Sainik Welfare and paid for by the Directorate General, Resettlement under the Ministry of Defence. The Minister requested other States and UTs to take initiatives in this regard. Expressing concern over the dilapidated condition of most of the Sainik Rest Houses in the country, the Minister said that maintenance of these rest houses needs to be looked into urgently.

Later the Minister presented trophies for the year 2000 to various states/UTs for their role in raising funds for Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. Tamil Nadu and Delhi received the trophies for highest collection in State and UT category respectively. The trophies for highest per capita collection were bagged by Arunachal Pradesh and Pondicherry.

The day-long meeting of the Kendriya Sainik Board was attended by senior representatives from various states/UTs. The Kendriya Sainik Board is the national apex body that makes policy decisions on the welfare and rehabilitation of ex-servicemen, widows, disabled soldiers and dependents. Defence Minister is the President of the Board which has 44 other members, including 13 Chief Ministers, six Ministers of State from centre and state governments, three Members of Parliament and the three Service Chiefs. The Board meets once a year to review the outstanding issues related to resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen.