Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given in-principle approval to the enhancement of monetary assistance to Next of Kin of all categories of Battle Casualty from two lakh rupees to eight lakh rupees.
This is a four-time increase in monetary assistance for Battle Casualties. An official release said the amount will be granted under Army Battle Casualties Welfare Fund.
Earlier, there was a provision of financial assistance of 2 lakh rupees to the Battle casualties which are fatal, 60 per cent and above disability, battle casualties invalided out due to disability and 1 lakh rupees to disability less than 60 per cent. It was in addition to liberalised family pension, financial assistance from Army Group Insurance, Army Welfare Fund and ex-gratia amount.
Our correspondent reports that Army Battle Casualties Welfare Fund has been set up under Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, 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 ABCWF was instituted in July 2017 and was implemented retrospectively with effect from April 2016.
This fund is in addition to the various existing schemes for the welfare of Next of Kin and children of battle casualties in the form of additional ex gratia.