Himachal Pradesh has a long history of providing services in army and Himachali soldiers are known for their valour, fearlessness and cool courage. Captain Vikram Batra, a posthumously awardee of the Param Vir Chakra, Lt. Saurabh Kalia, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, victorious of the Tiger Hill post in Kargil war, Major Som Nath Sharma, the first Param Vir Chakra awardee and many others have dedicated their life to the nation.
The state as per census has 1, 10,202 Ex-servicemen (ESM), 1,050 War Widows and 33,099 Widows till 31 October, 2016. The state government is committed for their welfare and socio-economic development.
The reservation of 15% in government jobs is provided by the Himachal Pradesh government to ESM, war widows, disabled soldiers and their dependent. In this period, 1250 ESM were provided with employment assistance in Class-III & IV posts in the state. Similarly, at the centre, 150 ESM were provided with employment assistance in Class-III & IV posts.
The state government provides cash award, cash in lieu of land and annuity to the gallantry award winners on receipt of notification of awards by the Government of India. An amount of Rs. 4.96 crore in the last three years and Rs. 26 lakh has been disbursed during current fiscal.
Himachal Pradesh government has also provided economic benefit of Rs. 500 per month to those ESM/ widows who have attained the age of 60 years and whose annual income is not more than Rs. 35,000. Veterans of World War-II are benefitted with Rs. 3,000 per month. An amount of Rs. 12.68 crore and Rs. 1.42 crore is disbursed during the last three years and the Financial Year 2016-2017 till 31 October, 2016 respectively.
The rates of ex-gratia grant have been increased by the state government with effect from 25 may, 2015 to the dependents of martyrs and disabled soldiers. 145 beneficiaries availed the grant during the last about four years. An amount of Rs. 1.72 crore during last three years and Rs. 28.35 lakh has been disbursed during the current fiscal.
The state government disbursed an amount of Rs. 6.69 lakh from Chief Minister's ESM welfare fund for imparting the vocational training on cutting and tailoring to the wives, daughters and widows of ESM/serving soldiers during the last three years. 11 Vocational Training Centres (VTC) were opened during the last three years of the state government. As many as 159 trainees were imparted the training during the last three years of the state government.
An economic assistance of Rs. 5000 is being provided by the state governement out of the Flag Day Fund to the needy ESM/widows/disabled ESM (Non-pensioner). 205 beneficiaries and 110 beneficiaries avail the assistance during the last three years and the Financial Year 2016-2017 till 31 October, 2016. An amount of Rs. 15.16 lakh has been disbursed during the last three and half years.
An addition to these facilities, the state government is providing free travel in the HRTC buses to the Gallantry Award Winners and War widows. 41 and 30 bus passes were issued to Gallantry Award Winners and War widows respectively during the last three years of the state government. A sum of Rs. 49.68 lakh has been paid to the HRTC against this facility.
Himachal Pradesh government has also granted Rs. 5,000 per annum as War Jagir in the form of cash grant to those parents whose children have served in the armed forces during the emergency periods. The state government disbursed an amount of Rs. 1.31 crore during last three years whereas Rs. 43.65 lakh during the current fiscal.
The state government disbursed an amount of Rs. 16.15 lakh during the last three years to provide financial assistance to the ESM admitted in the Paraplegic Centr-Kirkee (Pune) and Mohali for medical treatment. Whereas, an amount of Rs. 6 lakh is to be paid by state government for this purpose during the Financial Year 2016-2017. 26 beneficiaries have availed the assistance during the last three and half years.
The state government has granted Rs. 2 crores in 2015-16 and Rs. 50 lakh during 2016-17 for the repair and maintenance of 24 Sainik Rest Houses in Himachal Pradesh. The government has also constructed a War Memorial Museum at Dharamshala and a sum of Rs. 3 crores and a sum of Rs. 5 crores have been allotted during the Financial Year 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 respectively.