RESETTLEMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN
- The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) formulates various policies and programmes for the welfare and resettlement of Ex—Servicemen (ESM) in the country.
- The Department has two Divisions Resettlement and Pension, and 3 attached offices namely Kendriya Sainik Board, Directorate General (Resettlement) and Central Organisation, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme.
- KENDRIYA SAINIK BOARD: It is the apex body of Government of India responsible for implementing Government policies for welfare of Ex- Servicemen (ESM), disabled ESM and dependents / wards of ESM. It is assisted in its task by 32 Rajya Sainik Boards and 386 Zila Sainik Boards. Armed forces Flag Day Fund (AFFD) is the major source for funding the rehabilitation institutions.
- Rakslia Mantris Discretionary Fund (RMDF): A portion of earnings of Armed Forces Flag Day Fund is utilized for providing financial assistance to needy ESM, widows and their wards for various identified personal needs.
- Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme: 4000 scholarships are granted annually under Prime Minister scholarship Scheme for the wards of ex-servicemen/widows, undergoing professional degree courses in India. This scheme is funded out of National Defence fund.
DIRECTOR GENERAL (RESETTLEMENT)
- Nearly 60,000 armed forces personnel retire every year. Most of them are in the bracket of 35 to 45 years and need a second career.
- Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) is entrusted with the responsibility of preparing retiring service personnel for a second career through various training programmes, assistance in re-employment/placements and self-employment schemes.
EX-SERVICEMEN CONTRIBUTORY HEALTH SCHEME (ECHS)
- Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was launched in 2003. The Scheme aims to provide quality healthcare to ex-servicemen pensioners and their dependents through a network of ECHS polyclinics, service medical facilities and civil empanelled/government hospitals spread across the country.
- The scheme has been structured to provide cashless treatment, as far as possible, for its beneficiaries. Treatment provided under ECHS is as per the allopathic medical system and it is a government funded scheme.
- As on 01 June, 2014, a total of 13,58,749 ex-servicemen have enlisted with the Scheme alongwith 29,87,750 dependents.
- The total beneficiaries of the Scheme has thus risen to 43,46,499.
PENSION TO ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL
- Pension to an estimated number of 05 lakh Defence pensioners is disbursed through 27 public sector banks, 4 private sector banks, 640 Treasuries, Defence Pension Disbursing Officers (DPDOS), 2 Post Offices and 5 Pay and Accounts Offices (PAOS) scattered all over India.
- For the Armed Forces Pensioners residing in Nepal, disbursement of pension is done through 3 Pension Payment Offices (PPOs).
