IEP Chandigarh, December 30
Coming to protect the loved ones of those who laid down their lives in various operations for the defence of the country, Chief Minister S Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Govt has taken many landmark decisions for the welfare of next of kin of soldiers.In recognition of the gallantry services of the defence personnel, Mann government, immediately, after coming to power in the state, had enhanced rates of ex-gratia grant given to the families of martyred soldiers from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore. The financial assistance is being given to next of kin of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in various operations for the defence of the country.Punjab Defence Services Welfare Minister Fauja Singh Sarari said that the department has made a payment of Rs 3,09,40,000/- to the next of kin of martyrs during the period from April 1, 2022 to till date.Apart from this, he said that, the state government has been providing financial assistance of Rs 1 Lakh to family of Armed Forces personnel who die in harness (other than Battle Casualty) under Armed Forces Flag Day fund. An amount of Rs 26 Lakh has been paid to families of Armed Forces personnel during the period from 01.04.2022 to till date.Carrying out on the agenda of looking after widows of soldiers who die in harness, Mann Government has been paying Sustenance amount of Rs 15000/- per month to widows of soldiers till start of the pension upto six months. The state government has provided Sustenance allowance to 14 widows during the period from 01.04.2022 to till date, said Cabinet Minister Fauja Singh Sarari.
