The Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday approved a 100 per cent increase in financial aid for ex-Servicemen (ESM) and their dependents. This hike has been for schemes implemented by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare through the Kendriya Sainik Board.
The revised grant will take effect for applications submitted from November 1 onwards, with an annual financial implication of approximately Rs 257 crore to be met from the AFFDF.
Penury grant has been doubled from Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000 per month per beneficiary, providing sustained lifetime support to aged and non-pensioner ESM and their widows above 65 years of age with no regular income, states the Defence Ministry of India.
Meanwhile, the education grant has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per month per head for up to two dependent children (Class I to Graduation) or widows pursuing a two-year postgraduate course.
The Marriage grant has been raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per head. Applicable for up to two daughters of ESM and for widow remarriage, for marriages solemnised after the issuance of this order.
These schemes are funded through the Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund, which is a subset of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF). The decision strengthens the social security net for non-pensioner ESM, widows, and dependents from lower-income groups, reaffirming the Government's commitment to honouring the service and sacrifice of the veterans, it added.
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