Huge relief for India's ex-servicemen. Govt doubles financial assistance across key welfare schemes

In what comes as a major step aimed at improving the financial stability and welfare of India's ex-servicemen and their dependents, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved a 100 per cent increase in financial assistance to them under different schemes implemented by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare through Kendriya Sainik Board.

The reforms include an increase in the penury grant, educational grant, and marriage grant, and will be funded through Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund, which is a subset of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF).

Under the reforms, the penury grant has been doubled from the current Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000 per month per beneficiary. This will ensure sustained lifetime support to aged and non-pensioner ex-servicemen and their widows above 65 years of age with no regular income, the ministry of defence said.

The government has increased the education grant 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.

According to the scheme, the marriage grant has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per beneficiary. This will be applicable up to two daughters of ex-servicemen and for widow marriages solemnised after the issuance of the order.

The ministry said an annual financial implication of about Rs 257 crore due to the hike in the amounts will be met from the AFFDF.

"The decision strengthens the social security net for non-pensioner ex-servicemen, widows, and dependents from lower-income groups, reaffirming the government’s commitment to honouring the service and sacrifice of the veterans," the defence ministry said in a release.

Defence