Battle Casualties assistance raised 400% to Rs 8 lakh

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given in-principle approval for enhancement of financial assistance given to the next to kin of the battle casualty. The amount has been raised to Rs 8 Lakh from Rs 2 Lakh. The amount will be deducted from under Army Battle Casualties Welfare Fund ( ABCWF).

According to the existing provision, Rs 2 lakh was given to the battle casualties which are fatal, 60 percent & above disability. In case of battle casualties invalided out due to disability, and disability less than 60 percent, Rs 1 Lakh was the approved assistance. It was in addition to liberalised family pension, financial assistance from Army Group Insurance, Army Welfare Fund and ex-gratia amount.

The ABCWF has been set up under Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW), Ministry of Defence after a large number of people offered to provide monetary assistance to the families of battle casualties following an incident in February 2016 at Siachen, wherein 10 soldiers were buried in an avalanche.

The ABCW fund was created under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890. A Bank Account bearing No. 90552010165915 was opened in the South Block Branch of Syndicate Bank, New Delhi for the public to deposit money

The fund was created under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890. A Bank Account bearing No. 90552010165915 was opened in the South Block Branch of Syndicate Bank, New Delhi for the public to deposit money.

This fund is in addition to the various existing schemes for the welfare of next to kin and children of battle casualties in the form of additional ex gratia.

In addition to the above assistance, the already existing monetary grant includes ex-gratia (central) for various ranks ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 45 lakh and Army Group Insurance ranging from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 75 lakh.

In addition to the above assistance, the already existing monetary grant includes ex-gratia (central) for various ranks ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 45 lakh and Army Group Insurance ranging from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 75 lakh

Rs 60,000 under Death Link Insurance Scheme, DLICS (JCO/ORs); Rs 15,000 under Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), full reimbursement of tuition fees for the wards, up to 70% concession on railway tickets and marriage grant for daughters, widow remarriage and orphan son’s marriage of battle casualties (fatal) and physical casualties (fatal) are also among the immediate & long-term assistance provided by the Ministry of Defence.