Big relief for ex-servicemen: Yogi Adityanath makes three key announcements in Meerut
– From the revolutionary land of Meerut, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made three major announcements for ex-servicemen
– Assistance of Rs 59.50 crore to 150 martyr families, provision of government jobs for dependents from 2018
– 31,700 ex-servicemen got employment through Sainik Kalyan Nigam
Meerut, November 14: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made three major announcements for the state’s brave soldiers, ex-servicemen and martyr families at the ex-servicemen reunion ceremony held in Meerut on Saturday.
He announced doubling the lump sum award amount and annuity given to gallantry award winners, increasing the stamp duty exemption limit for ex-servicemen and dependents of martyred soldiers on house purchase from Rs 20 lakh to ₹ 50 lakh, and providing government jobs to martyr dependents in their home district or a nearby district.
During the ceremony, the Chief Minister also inaugurated newly constructed Sainik Welfare Offices in eight districts of the state, costing ₹27.50 crore. The program also saw the release of the book “Shaurya Gatha,” which details the bravery of the state’s 7 Ashok Chakra, 30 Kirti Chakra, and 133 Shaurya Chakra awardees.
The Chief Minister stated that a soldier never retires. His uniform changes, but his resolve to serve the nation never changes. Maintaining the honor and self-respect of soldiers, brave women, and martyr families is the commitment of the double-engine government. There is no place for anti-national forces, terrorists, and criminals in Uttar Pradesh; we have already buried them.
Chief Minister Yogi said that the government is doubling the lump sum award and annuity given to the winners of the Param Vir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, Sena Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, and other eligible gallantry and war service medals. Similarly, the stamp duty exemption limit for ex-servicemen and dependents of martyred soldiers on property purchases will be increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh. Furthermore, arrangements will be made to provide a government job to one dependent of a martyr in their home district or a nearby district. To this end, the Military Welfare Department will ensure the availability of vacant positions in other departments.
Yogi called upon ex-servicemen to prepare rural youth for recruitment in the army and police, to keep them away from drugs, and to instill in them the importance of discipline. He stated that the path to a developed India lies through a developed Uttar Pradesh. The government stands with ex-servicemen, brave women, and martyr families with full sensitivity and commitment. There is no place for anti-national forces, terrorists, and criminals in the state. The honor and self-respect of ex-servicemen will be protected under all circumstances.
He said that a country and society can only transform its momentum into progress in a safe environment. Today, citizens sleep peacefully because soldiers are awake at the border. From the icy peaks of Siachen to the deserts, the seas, and even disaster fronts within the country, soldiers are the first to stand guard. The country has a large family of approximately 2 million soldiers. Every year, approximately 60,000 soldiers retire, of which approximately 12,000 are from Uttar Pradesh. The state has produced heroes like Param Vir Chakra winners Naik Jadunath Singh, Veer Abdul Hamid, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, and Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav. Gahmar village in Ghazipur is among the villages producing the highest number of soldiers in the country. 2,685 brave sons of the state have made the supreme sacrifice in the defense of the nation, while over 2,000 soldiers have earned gallantry medals.
Targeting previous governments, the Chief Minister said that a decade ago, Meerut, the land of revolution, began to be known for vehicle theft, illegal cutting, guns, and mafia rule. Sugarcane farmers were struggling for payment. They were lathi-charged when they demanded their rights outside the mills. Sugar mills were locked, fields lacked electricity, and canals lacked water. Farmers were afraid to go to their fields. Today, Meerut is establishing a new identity through the production of sports equipment under the ODOP program. Sugarcane farmers have received record payments, and farmers are receiving free electricity and water from canals. The Namo Bharat RRTS, Meerut Metro, Delhi-Meerut Expressway, and Ganga Expressway have elevated connectivity. The state’s first sports university, named after Major Dhyan Chand, has also taken shape in Meerut.
Referring to the assault on a former soldier, Yogi said that Ganesh Kumar Shukla, a veteran of the Kargil War and a 22-year-old soldier, was beaten by supporters of a political party leader because he refused to salute the leader. Instead of taking action against the perpetrators, the police filed an FIR against them.
Chief Minister also mentioned the lack of administrative arrangements during the funeral of martyred Lance Naik Hemraj Singh in 2013, and the family’s hunger strike.
Referring to the murder of Lance Naik Ved Mitra Chaudhary in Meerut in 2015 and the assault on the family of a serving soldier in Etawah in February 2014, he said that during those times, soldiers had to struggle for their honor and security. The bravery and valor of soldiers was questioned by questioning military operations. After terrorist attacks, responsibility was considered fulfilled by sending dossiers and condemning them. Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the perpetrators of terrorist attacks are being brought to book.
Chief Minister said that during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Prime Minister had outlined five pledges for a developed India, including respect for heritage, freedom from symbols of slavery, respect for the armed forces and veterans, unity, and civic duty. The four-decade-long demand for “One Rank, One Pension” was fulfilled, the National War Memorial was built, and the defense budget was increased. The creation of the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS)strengthened coordination between the three armed forces. The country’s defense exports increased 55-fold compared to 2013-14, reaching approximately ₹38,000 crore.
Yogi stated that Uttar Pradesh is not only providing soldiers but also providing them with modern weapons. The BrahMos missile is being manufactured in Lucknow through the Defense Corridor. Most parts of the indigenous AK-203 rifle are manufactured in Lucknow and Kanpur, and their final assembly takes place at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi. Ammunition for it is also being produced in Kanpur. Sainik schools have been expanded in the state. The ATS has strengthened security in Deoband and border districts.
Chief Minister informed that the ex-gratia amount given to martyr families has been increased from 20 lakh rupees to 50 lakh rupees. So far, assistance of 59.50 crore rupees has been provided to 150 martyr families. A system for providing government jobs to martyr dependents has been in place since 2018. 200 memorials, 61 memorial gates, and 78 statues have been established in the state. 31 schools, 48 roads, and three stadiums have been named after martyrs. World War II veterans and their wives receive a monthly pension of 6,000 rupees. The brave women and parents of Kargil martyrs also receive pensions. The annual assistance for disabled soldiers receiving treatment at paraplegic centers has been increased to 1.5 lakh rupees.
Regarding the employment of veterans, he stated that 5% reservation has been implemented in Group B posts. In the last three years, 647 veterans have been selected for government service. Approximately 31,700 ex-servicemen have found employment through the Sainik Welfare Corporation. A 20 percent horizontal reservation system has been established for Agniveers in various services, including the Uttar Pradesh Police, Prisons, and Forest Departments. Since 2017, assistance of ₹96.78 crore has been provided under Sainik Welfare schemes. ₹115 crore has been distributed to over 15,000 beneficiaries from the Sainik Rehabilitation Fund. This includes education grants to over 8,600 children, ₹1 lakh each for marriage to 907 daughters, and assistance to 269 children selected for military academies.
Chief Minister informed that ₹64 crore has been provided for the construction of district Sainik Welfare offices and Sainik rest houses. Thirteen new buildings and rest houses have been constructed. Old buildings have been renovated in four districts, including Meerut. Newly constructed buildings were inaugurated today in Shamli, Amethi, Chandauli, Auraiya, Sant Kabir Nagar, Sonbhadra, Ambedkar Nagar, and Gorakhpur. It has been decided to provide free land for ECHS polyclinics in 14 districts. He appealed for the book “Shaurya Gatha” to be distributed to schools and libraries.
Honoring Brave Women and Ex-Servicemen:
The Chief Minister honored the families of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the defense of the country by presenting them with cheques and shawls on stage. Among those honored were Archie Singh, wife of Major Amit Sharma; Usha Sharma, mother of Major Ketan Sharma; Abrisha Khatoon, wife of Sepoy Ajmer Ali, Kirti Chakra winner; Vimlesh Devi, wife of Sapper Satish Kumar; and Meenu Tomar, wife of Shaurya Chakra winner Anil Kumar Tomar, along with several other brave women. Former soldiers Lance Naik Priyapal Singh and Rifleman Harbir Singh were also honored.
Previous governments had turned Meerut into a city of riots: Dr. Somendra Tomar.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr Somendra Tomar said that previous governments had turned Meerut into a city of riots, but today it is a district with the best connectivity. Approximately 31,000 ex-servicemen have been provided employment through the corporation, and employment fairs and eye camps will soon be organized.
Many senior army officers, brave women and ex-servicemen including GOC-in-Chief of Central Command Lieutenant General Sanjay Mitra, Major General Sumit Rana, Major General Anupam Agarwal, Minister Dinesh Khatik, Meerut MP Arun Govil, Rajya Sabha MP Dr Laxmikant Vajpayee, Mayor Harikant Ahluwalia, MLA Amit Agarwal, MLC Dharmendra Bhardwaj and MLC Ashwani Tyagi were present in the program.
Current amount of Gallantry Awards
Param Vir Chakra Rs 52 lakh lump sum and Rs 3,12,000 annuity
Mahavir Chakra Rs 31 lakh lump sum and Rs 2,37,000 annuity
Vir Chakra Rs 20.80 lakh lump sum and Rs 1,37,000 annuity
Ashok Chakra Rs 32.50 lakh lump sum and Rs 1,50,000 annuity
Kirti Chakra Rs 19.50 lakh lump sum and Rs 1,30,000 annuity
Shaurya Chakra Rs 13 lakh lump sum and Rs 65,000 annuity
Sena Medal/ Vayu Sena Medal Rs 01 lakh lump sum and Rs 15,000 annuity
Pension in Dispatch Rs 52,000 lump sum and Rs 13,000 annuity
Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal Rs 3,12,000 lump sum and Rs 12,000 annuity
Uttam Yudh Seva Medal Rs 2,60,000 lump sum and Rs 11,000 annuity
War Service Medal Rs 83,200 lump sum and Rs 10,000 annuity
