Himachal Pradesh is known as the land of valiant and brave soldiers as the number of Himachali serving solider in India Army is maximum in the country in proportion to the population. Being a small hill state, Himachal has made its presence felt at the international level because of the supreme sacrifices made by its soldiers during various wars. So far, four Himachali soldier has been decorated with Paramveer Chakra, two with Ashoka Chakra and 10 with Mahaveer Chakra, thus contributing in service of the nation. Himachal also can boast of receiving the first ever Paramveer Chakra given to Major Somnath Sharma.
The brave soldiers of the State have won 847 Gallantry awards for valour and bravery while serving in Armed Forces. Besides, 18 soldiers have won Kirti Chakra for their valor and bravery. Out of four Paramveer Chakra given during the Kargil war two soldiers from the State were honoured with Paramveer Chakra, which speaks of the bravery and gallantry of Himachali soldiers.
Keeping in view the sacrifice made by the soldiers for the cause of the nation, the State Government is committed to address their problems. For this, the Government has initiated various measures for the welfare of both the serving soldiers, ex-service men and their families. The State Government has launched several schemes for their welfare.
A separate Sanik Welfare Department was established in 1973 to look into the welfare of the soldiers and their dependents. Apart from this, Ex-servicemen Welfare Board had also been set up under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister to look into their well-being.
The State Government has also set up a special employment cell for providing employment opportunities to the ex-servicemen of the State. 15 percent of reservation is also being provided in government jobs to ex-servicemen.
At present there are 1,11,508 ex servicemen in the State and around 34,624 war widows and widows of serving soldiers and ex-servicemen. The State Government has enhanced the one time amount being given to the recipient of Paramveer and Ashok Chakras from Rs. 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh and annuity from Rs. 1.25 lakh to Rs. three lakhs. Besides the amount being given to the recipients of Mahaveer Chakra has been enhanced from Rs.15 lakh to Rs.20 lakh, where as the annual amount has been enhanced to from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh . The State Government has enhanced the annual amount given under Mention- in- Dispatch from Rs 3000 to Rs 5000. Besides, the State Government has earmarked Rs 8 crore for the construction of the War Memorial Museum at Dharamshala in the current financial year budget.
The State Government has enhanced the Yudh Jagir amount from Rs. 2000 to 5000 and an amount of Rs. 53 lakh has been spent during the year 2015-16, whereas Rs 34 lakh has been spent during the year 2016-17.
The State Government has provided about Rs. 7 crore to over 3400 bravery award winners in the State. The Government has also enhanced the annual income limit from Rs 15,000 to Rs 35,000 for those ex-servicemen above 60 years for availing old age pension benefits. The State Government has spent an amount of Rs 18 crore on providing old age pension to 8503 ex-servicemen and their widows during the last four and a half year.
The State Government is providing assistance to war martyrs/physically disabled soldiers during war and their dependents. An assistance of Rs. 5 lakh is being provided to the war martyrs, Rs 1.50 lakh to soldiers with more than 50 percent disability and soldiers with less 50 percent disability are being provided Rs. 75000. During the last four and a half year, a sum of Rs. 2.20 crore has been given as assistance to the dependents of 161 martyr soldiers of different operations from the Chief Minister's Soldier Welfare Fund.
The State Government is imparting vocational training to the daughters and widows of the martyrs. During this period, 197 girls/ widows of serving soldiers/ex-servicemen have been imparted training by the Sanik Kalyan Board by spending an amount of Rs 8.29 lakh.
The State Government is also providing free travel facility in HRTC buses to the recipients of various bravery awards. At present, 716 bravery award winners are availing this benefit. Besides this, 655 war widows are also availing the benefit of free travel facility in Himachal Road Transport Corporation buses.
While reading and listening to the valour stories of Himachali soldiers, the youth of the State are getting inspired to enroll themselves in the Indian Army and today hardly, there is a village in the state having no person in armed forces. It is a matter of pride for the State and its people that Himachali soldiers have been decorated with highest gallantry awards for showing courage valour in different operations and battlefields.
Issued by:
Director
Information and Public Relations
Himachal Pradesh
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