KCR announces sops for Army personnel

Hyderabad, Jan 17 (INN): Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Tuesday informed that the State Government was introducing a comprehensive plan for the Army Welfare. Under this programme, Army personnel who are in the service, those became martyrs, those who became medically unfit and handicapped and retired Army personnel will get benefited.

Making a statement in the State Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister informed that for the first time in the country, the State Government was creating a fund for the Army Welfare. 'Every year, we will collect Rs 80 Core towards this Fund. This Fund will be spent on the welfare of the Army personnel and their families. Responding positively to the call given by the government, Ministers, Legislators, Members of Parliament and Employees have come forward to contribute their lot. The Chief Minister and Ministers will contribute Rs 25,000 per year, MLAs, MLCs and MPs will contribute Rs 10,000 each per year towards the Army Welfare Fund. The employees have decided to forgo their one day wages. I take this opportunity to thanks elected representatives, employees for coming forward to show their respect towards the Army personnel,' he informed.

The Chief Minister said that the Centre gives pensions to the retired army personnel and they are eligible for double pension if they taken up any state government job after the retirement. The same facility is not extended to the Army personnel's widows. The Army widows are eligible for one pension only either from the centre or the State government. But, he said that the Telangana State has extended the double pension scheme to the retired Army Personnel and their widows.

KCR said that the State Government would give cash reward of Rs. 2.25 crore to those who receive Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra. For Mahavir Chakra and Kirti Chakra awardees, the cash reward has been enhanced to Rs. 1.25 crore. The cash reward will be Rs. 75 lakh each for Vir Chakra and Sourya Chakra awardees; Rs. 30 lakh for Sena Medal awardees; Rs. 25 lakh for Mention in Dispatches awardees; Rs. 25 lakh for Athi Visishta Seva Medal; Rs. 20 lakh for Visishta Seva Medal and Rs. 5 lakh for Seva Medal. These cash rewards, to be paid by the State Government, are highest in the entire country.

KCR said that there was an anomaly while paying compensations to the Army personnel who died in the war front and those lost their lives for other reasons. There is also an anomaly in the faculties provided for these two categories. The TS government has decided to apply uniform compensation and other facilities to the Army personnel died in action and those lost their lives for other reasons such as accidents, illness etc., he said.

'We are strengthening the Sainik Welfare Boards both at the State and District levels. These Boards will also be set up in the new Districts. All welfare programmes will be implemented through these Boards. For the children of the Army Personnel reservations will be provided in the government run residential Schools. The state government will accord recognition to the Army Schools. Encouragement will be given to Scouts, Guides and NCC in the educational Institutions. Rs 2 lakh each is given to those secured admission in the National Defence Academy,' the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister informed that the Centre has agreed to set up an Army School. 'We have decided to have this school in Warangal and a MoU in this regard will be signed shortly,' he said.

KCR said Army personnel were on the move due to their job requirements. Each time they move from one State to the other they are made to pay the Life Tax on their Vehicles. In Telangana State, it has been decided not to collect any vehicle tax from the Army Personnel if they have paid the tax already.

'We have also decided to exempt Army Personnel and their spouses from paying House Tax on their immobile property. Two per cent reservation is given to the Army Personnel in the 2BHK Housing. Pension given to the Army personnel, who served in the World War II, is enhanced from Rs 3,000 per month to Rs 6,000 per Month. Action will be taken to hike the salaries of the army personnel who are working as Special Police Officers and their salaries will be paid regularly on par with others,' the Chief Minister.

KCR said that an Advisory Council for Sainik Welfare has been formed in the State to suggest more measures for the welfare of the Army Personnel from time to time. This Council will coordinate with the state government on a regular basis for the welfare of the Army personnel.